Gary Neville claims the Football Association (FA) and Premier League have a huge problem after former top-flight official Mark Halsey suggested he had been told to lie about his in-game decision making.
Halsey, who retired from refereeing at the end of the 2012-13 season, was responding to a question on Twitter regarding the FA s charge on Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero for an elbow on West Ham s Winston Reid.
City appealed against Aguero s three-match ban but the FA rejected their application, with Halsey suggesting referee Andre Marriner may have been asked to lie about his view of the clash between Aguero and Reid.
I have been in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven t seen it, Halsey posted.
Paul I have been in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven t seen it
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey)
to be Fair to the FA Lee it s not them, it comes from with in the PGMOL
— Mark Halsey (@RefereeHalsey)
He later followed up: To be fair to the FA… it s not them. It comes from within the PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited].
Highlighting the exchange in a series of tweets, Neville wrote: Mark is that not corrupt!! I d like to know who told you to say that!!!
I ve spoken with Mark. Verified the statement. Huge problem!!!
@FA and @premierleague think you have a major issue on your hands!!
Mark is that not corrupt!! I d like to know who told you to say that!!!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2)
Just a bit!! and think you have a major issue on your hands!!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2)
I ve spoken with Mark. Verified the statement . Huge problem!!!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2)