Most Hated Men in Football – Part 2

Posted by Stan Hughes in Management, Most Hated Men in Football, Premiership on March 4th, 2009 | 6 responses

Mike Riley – Premier League

Most Hated Men in Football

Succeeding the recently retired Graham Poll as the most hated referee in football, Mike Riley began his career terrorizing players of the beautiful game back in 1989 as an assistant referee in the Football League. When Riley is in action be sure to keep an eye on him because he tends to be the most dangerous one on the pitch. Involved in at least one incorrect, game altering, decision per match in charge, Riley is hated by players, managers and fans across the country. In a recent moment of madness, he wrongfully sent off Frank Lampard at Anfield for a straight red card foul on Xabi Alonso with tv replays showing Lampard had touched the ball and Alonso had kicked Lampard. At the time, the top of the table clash was balanced at 0-0 and following the red card Liverpool went on to win the match 2-0. The red card was later rescinded yet there was no public word from Riley on the incident or apology to the player.