Chesterfield and the knock-on effect of VAR lower down the leagues
Chesterfield are hoping for a little more luck with refereeing calls next season after seemingly failing to get the rub of the green too many times last term.
The perception that good and bad decisions even themselves out over a season might be challenged by some in the Spireites camp, with the red card dished out to Kyle McFadzean in the late-season draw at Fleetwood among the harsh ones.
Even though the red was swiftly overturned on appeal, it didn’t even a perceived imbalance over the piece that was not helped, says chairman Ashley Kirk, by the demands placed on refereeing resources by the demands of VAR operation at the top end of the game.
"My personal take was that all the experienced refs are sucked into VAR, so you have ten refs per game in the Premier League, or so it seems, and you get a filter-down to our level,” he said, speaking on the recent Chesterfield FC podcast.
"Ten years ago we were getting refs that were perhaps three levels below where they are now. They’re fast-tracking them up and it’s a challenge at times.
"There were some big calls early on in the season which didn’t go our way and if then you look how many points we missed out on promotion by. That said, we kept out four penalties.”
Like other clubs, Chesterfield have been asked to give their thoughts on officiating to the EFL.
"Decisions impact every club,” added Mr Kirk. “I’m not saying we were the only ones who feel aggrieved. I’m sure lots do.
"But then fast forward and look at the things that happened in the play-offs where you think there might be a yellow or a red and nothing happens. All of a sudden the game is over, you’re done and you’re not at Wembley and other side are.
“It’s frustrating but frustrations are part of football and you have to accept it’s a human being refereeing as well.
"I guess everyone in football believes there’s no easy fix, but it is a problem.”