KEITH Stroud has been appointed to take charge of Cherries’ trip to Blackburn at the weekend.
Whilst referees can be controversial figures at the best of times, there has been large outcry on social media – as Stroud was born in Bournemouth.
However, he is able to ref Cherries’ fixtures as he is listed as a Luton fan.
A referee’s birthplace rarely precludes them from officiating fixtures, with Mike Dean, born in Wirral, taking charge of the Merseyside derby on three occasions – thanks to his declared allegiances to Tranmere Rovers.
Stroud earned his referring stripes in the Wessex League, before working his way up the pyramid.
There is further conspiracy due to the fact that Cherries have a near perfect record with Stroud as the man in the middle.
Out of the 13 times Stroud has taken charge of Cherries, the Dorset side have won 12 games.
That run came to end the last time Stroud whistled a Cherries’ fixture, with the 52-year-old in charge as the south coast club lost 2-0 at West Brom earlier this month.
Nottingham Forest fans also complained that he was appointed to take charge of their clash with Fulham on Tuesday, even though it was Fulham who ended up feeling more aggrieved by Stroud’s performance.
Further complaints stem from the fact that Stroud's supported club, Luton, are also in play-off contention. Blackburn need to win both their remaining games to overhaul the Hatters, but some Rovers fans believe that there is a conflict of interest due to Stroud's loyalties to the Bedfordshire club.
This just sums the @EFL up.
— Mark Whittle (@MarkWhittle1) April 28, 2022
How is this allowed??#Rovers #afcb https://t.co/Ti9XEx6q5D
Blackburn Rovers vs AFC Bournemouth
— Rovers Latest (@LatestRovers) April 27, 2022
Referee? Keith Stroud
Unbelievable 🤦♂️
So Bournemouth Born (Luton Fan) Keith Stroud is refereeing #RovVBou this weekend and with #AFCB needing win for Promotion and #Rovers chasing #ltfc for a play-off place So see no conflict lol #BLABOU I've not seen such "refereeing" since Vs. Media Clubs in #PL lol #EFL pic.twitter.com/QcjA2cZPr6
— Stephen P. Campbell (@Ste_Cammy) April 28, 2022
Eddie Wolstenholme could never referee at Ewood as he’s from Blackburn, the rule is/was there to protect all parties, stupid from the EFL is this.
— Neil (@BlackburnEnder) April 28, 2022
Stroud will be under pressure from the 1st minute on Saturday & every decision will get questioned regardless.
Cheers 👍. Stroud is an awful ref. I'd be more concerned about him being a Luton fan than where he was born though but if was that biased he would have disallowed our goal against Fulham I guess.
— Daniel Wildgoose (@danwildgoose) April 28, 2022
Who also happen to be in the playoff race. As well as Bournemouth having a 92% win rate when stroud is the referee.....
— BR825 (@BRFC62968491) April 28, 2022
On Saturday their Man of the match will be Keith Stroud https://t.co/RQSRIAevKc
— Umair ;) (@RxfiqyX37) April 28, 2022
We have a responsibility as fans to make it an afternoon of hell for Stroud and be on his back at every wrong decision. No hiding place, no mercy, heckle the hell out of him if he shows them any favouritism!
— Jonathan Lobb (@JonathanLobb) April 28, 2022
Keith Stroud, Bournemouth born and bred, is our match official for… you guessed it, Blackburn vs Bournemouth.@EFL what you doing?
— Turny (@TNYKN) April 28, 2022
I hope the efl assessor is on point on Saturday, this will be a bloodbath for stroud and if this goes the way we are all predicting hopefully he's at least found out and rules are changed.
— bradley stirton (@BradleyStirton) April 28, 2022
Thought Stroud did in everything in his power to ensure a Fulham win Tuesday night. He gave Forest nothing. Bournemouth have won every game he has reffed.
— Colm (@colombo1865) April 28, 2022
I’m sure there’s actually nothing untoward about it at all, but at this point of the season why would the EFL take this risk? If there’s a dodgy pen or red on Saturday it just begs for speculation. #NFFC #AFCB https://t.co/KkHphN4Qvn
— Mariknackered (@mariknackered) April 27, 2022
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