The Arsenal (and some Arsenal players) are mentioned in this....especially one part where the
TV programme they did - with Elleray being miced up...and how the producers of the programme 'Falsified' (my term)..the recording to make out that The arsenal team were behaving badly etc...so some things never change in the media then huh!
In February 1989 you famously wore a microphone while refereeing Millwall v Arsenal. The subsequent documentary caused a media frenzy and officials haven't been recorded since. Do you regret taking part in the project?
"It was a shame the programme was corrupted. The original show looked at violence towards referees, particularly on local parks. They filmed me officiating the top game of the day as well as a local referee to see how we were both treated.
I saw a preview which was very balanced, but it was then hijacked to become a witch-hunt of Arsenal. Bleeps were put in to give the impression that players were swearing when they hadn't.
They only showed the occasions when there was some sort of dispute between the players and me. They edited out all the good exchanges and gave the impression that Arsenal had behaved appallingly.
They destroyed the opportunity for people to have a really good behind the scenes look at refereeing. A balanced documentary would have given them greater access to referees wearing microphones in the future, which hasn't happened since. And it probably won't for a long time."
