Referee Reuben Simon has called on the FA to open up lines of communication between managers and match questions, writes Richard Seuke.

Simon, a Combined Counties League referee, would also like the media to be able to ask written questions in order to get explanations on why decisions are made.

He believes the steps would enable officials to get their point of view across and provide a timely boost to the FA’s respect campaign.

The former Feltham midfielder was speaking in the wake of Paul Ince’s comments to a Sunday newspaper that respect should go both ways and claims that Premiership referee Mike Jones’ decisions in the past couple of weeks could cost Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez and Hull City’s Phil Brown their jobs.

“I have yet to see a referee asked to explain what was going through his mind when he made a wonderful decision to play advantage that resulted in a goal,” said Simon.

“Every manager should have the opportunity to submit three written questions to the referee immediately after the game and the media should get the opportunity to submit up to six written questions.

“Overnight, this will open genuine communication. It would give a clear explanation to managers and will flush out any boss who does not want a genuine explanation, but simply wishes to take his frustrations out on the referee by verbally abusing him.

“I would be happy to apologise for an error of judgement on my part if I genuinely felt I had made an error, provided that particular manager was also happy to apologise for any errors on his part. That really is total mutual respect.”

Simon admits his idea could not extend to incidents where a player receives a straight red card as this is open to challenge through an FA appeal.

West Middlesex Referees’ Society: www.westmiddxrs.org.uk website.