CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe believes extending the select group of referees to the Championship would be a positive move for the game. 

Howe was responding after former top-flight official Mark Halsey put forward the proposal, claiming too many inexperienced referees were taking charge of matches in the second tier.

The select group is a panel of professional referees and assistants appointed to officiate predominantly in the Premier League but also in the Football League.

In an article in the Bolton News, Halsey – who spent 12 years on the list before retiring in 2013 – wrote: “Too many times, I am seeing officials who are not long out of the Conference taking charge of games in the second tier within two or three months of making the list.

“When you consider how important games are in the Championship and what financial impact promotion can have at a football club, it is disappointing to see the haphazard way things are currently organised.

“The Championship should have a pool of referees incorporating some who are looking to burst into the Premier League select group and others who are experienced at Championship level.

"Referees should earn their spurs in League One and Two. I’m not saying games at that level are less important but they are generally easier to manage.”

Rookie referee Michael Bull made a series of baffling decisions when he took charge of Cherries’ 2-2 draw with Ipswich last month, including failing to award the hosts a penalty after Tokelo Rantie had been fouled.

Asked for his thoughts on Halsey’s suggestion, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think it is a good idea. Anything that can improve the standard of refereeing, I would be all for.

“I think we have been victim of some poor decisions and some poor refereeing displays this season. But that is the game. One team is generally going to feel slightly aggrieved, the other will go away happy.

“I think referees do a very honest job in this country and their integrity has never been in question as far as I am concerned.

"But it is about trying to get as many of the big decisions correct and if there is anything that could be done to help that I would be all for it.”

Select group referee Mike Jones angered home supporters when he sent off two Wolves players during Cherries’ 2-1 win at Molineux on Saturday, decisions Howe felt had been justified.

Howe added: “He is a very experienced ref and managed the game very well.

"The decisions will be reviewed and found to be either right or wrong. Like with players, as long as he reviews them and learns from them if they are wrong, that is all you can ask.

“With the speed of the game these days, it is such a difficult thing to try to get every decision spot-on. He made decisions he felt were correct at the time.”