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Speedway: The Elite League is not the place for referees to learn
PANTHERS team manager Wayne Swales has challenged the use of trainee referees in Elite League speedway.
PANTHERS team manager Wayne Swales has challenged the use of trainee referees in Elite League speedway.Trainee official Jarek Kalinowski took charge of Panthers' 54-42 triumph over Ipswich on Monday night under the supervision of SCB referee Margaret Vardy.
But after a number of contentious decisions, Swales demanded that Vardy took control for the closing stages of the contest.
He said: "Everyone has to learn but I honestly believe the Elite League arena is not the place to do it.
"I don't have a problem with a trainee shadowing a referee, but I don't think they should be allowed to take charge of meetings at this level.
"Bad decisions can cost teams points that can mean you miss out on the play-offs - you should not be in a position where that happens."
Ipswich officials were left fuming when he failed to spot Panthers man Henning Bager have both wheels on the grass during heat two - an offence that should have led to an exclusion.
Panthers were then angered when Robert Miskowiak won the next race without having a dirt deflector fitted to his motorcycle. They eventually produced photographic evidence to persuade the officials to amend the result.
Swales was also understood to be unhappy at Kenneth Hansen's exclusion after a heat nine crash.
He added: "I didn't have a clear view of heat two, but Ipswich protested very strongly.
"What happened in the next race with Miskowiak was clearcut. Neither the trainee or the referee were prepared to take the word of officials in the pits who are here to help them make the correct decisions.
"Miskowiak was riding a motorcycle that contravened the rules and we had photographic evidence to prove that was the case. They had no choice other than to amend the result and exclude him.
"I wasn't comfortable with the trainee official in charge given the decisions that had or hadn't been made and I insisted Margaret took over the running of the meeting after Kenneth's crash."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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