‘Who’s the Spaniard in the black?’ could be the chants echoing from the terraces of Premier League grounds next season following the news that Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez could become the first foreigner to take charge of English top flight games.
The 44-year-old, who has refereed in La Liga for the last 15 years, has been invited to ply his trade in the Premier League next term. He is an official with vast experience and was the man in the middle for
Liverpool’s epic Champions League win against AC Milan in 2005.
By the end of this season, Gonzalez will have reached the age of 45 – the maximum age a ref can take charge of matches in his own country – but the statutory age for retirement in this country is 49.
It is understood that three other foreign refs have also been contacted, although a maximum of two will be offered contracts to take part in the experiment.
It is an unprecedented step by the football authorities, and one they hope will improve relationships between officials and managers.
Gonzalez has been told to expect to spend a whole season in the Premier League, potentially taking charge of high-profile games such as
Manchester United against Liverpool or
Arsenal v
Chelsea.
However, Gonzalez’s possible arrival may not be welcomed by everyone – he was the ref in charge of the Arsenal- Celtic game at the Emirates in August when Gunners' striker
Eduardo took a tumble to earn a penalty and was later banned for diving.
But Gonzalez said: “It’s good to be at the top but the best thing is that, in 15 years of refereeing, I have never been shown a lack of respect by anyone.”
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