Former Referees boss Keith Hackett is of the opinion that Anthony Taylor's appointment for the clash between Liverpool and Manchester United could backfire very badly.
Taylor, who lives in Altrincham - just six miles away from Manchester, has been handed officiating duties over the clash which is set for next Monday at Anfield.
Anthony Taylor will referee Red Monday's showdown between Liverpool and Manchester United https://t.co/OkyTw9uE6F #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/SxBpHrRSVN
Liverpool fans are obviously not pleased and have reacted furiously, and Hackett believes that it is unfair to put such pressure on a match official. But the FA have kept by their rules which state that referees cannot officiate in matches if a team they are a fan of is playing, as Taylor is a Anltrincham fan and there are no stipulations regarding geography.
Hackett, who was head of theProfessional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) until 2009, has said that Mark Clattenburg would have been a better appointment, but the Durham-based official has been given the job of fourth official in theWest Brom vs Tottenham match instead.
Former referees' chief Keith Hackett says it's 'grossly unfair' to put Anthony Taylor in charge of #LFC vs #MUFC https://t.co/7di1OSrUKf
"No-one is questioning Anthony's integrity or his ability to handle this game," said Hackett.
"You could argue it's testimony to his unflappable character and capacity to focus that he's been appointed to it.
"Taylor is also in form and establishing himself firmly as one of the select group's best operators.But what if something goes wrong for him on the day - as it can for even the finest referees?
"That's when the focus on him would be intolerable, especially if a controversial incident has gone in favour of Liverpool and it influences the result.
"If that happens then it would be those who appointed him who must take the blame for taking such an avoidable risk - on a weekend when Mark Clattenburg, the 2016 Champions League final referee, is holding up a board as fourth official in another match.
"I sincerely hope that he has a very good match - for any number of reasons."