It is an often-floated theory that ex-players could make better referees. For former Newcastle Jets and Reds defender Taylor Regan says he wants to see it happen to improve the game awareness and common sense of referees. 

Following Ken Ilso’s red card for Regan’s former club Adelaide United against Roar last month, Regan tweeted: ‘Now I am out of the country, am I allowed to comment on the standard of refereeing in Australia?

“I believe it’s time former players be given their refereeing badges. Otherwise, we are going to forever see games ruined by bad decisions.”

Regan stands by his views.

“I said that a little tongue in cheek. I wasn’t pretending I could do a better job, and the reality is I probably couldn’t," the Malaysian Super League defender told FTBL. 

“Referees are human, they make mistakes. We as players make mistakes. People in everyday life make mistakes.

“What I said holds some truth though. Former players can get involved if they choose to. It would be good for the game to have that.

“We understand the pressure, the crowds the way football works. Sometimes these factors can make a difference in decision-making in the big arena.”

That may well be true.

However, making that happen isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, judging by one high-profile example in the UK.

In the 2017 movie “Ref: Stories from the Weekend”, former journeyman professional footballer Jason Jarrett discussed his refereeing ambitions.

“You can sense trouble before it happens. It is like an instinct. I did get more respect because I had played the game,” Jarrett, a former Championship player who retired at 34, told UK's The Telegraph online. 

Jason Jarrett (ctr) for Wigan against Juninho's Middlesbrough in 2003

“My plan was to go all the way, to referee in the Premier League.”

He took the English FA's referee courses and began gaining experience at lower levels.

However, Jarrett believed the system itself was not set up to help former players.

“It’s very unclear if there is really any pathway to help ex-pros take up refereeing,” he said, citing rules for not being allowed to referee any club you once played for, including loan spells.

Jarrett played for 18 clubs in a career including Brighton and Leicester who are now currently in the EPL. “It means half the games I wouldn’t be able to referee. To me, it’s ridiculous,” he said.

“Most players retire at 35-ish. Well, it takes a good 10 years to get through the system and reach the top of refereeing. That means you’ll be 45 before you get there. There’s no fast track. They need to put something in place to appreciate the ex-pro’s experience,” he said.

He has since given up on his dream of refereeing in the Premier League.

In Australia, it may require the PFA and FFA to come together to try to find a solution for fast-tracking a former player into becoming a referee. 

With that in mind, Regan also believes the Video Assistant Referee must now go.

The system has divided fans in Australia and abroad, with Inter Milan just another club outraged by a decision made recently after VAR was consulted in stoppage time against Fiorentina. 

Checking the VAR in the A-League

Regan added: “My argument now is, we have the VAR available yet somehow decisions still leave me flabbergasted. I don’t understand how with somebody watching from above you can still get a decision wrong.

“Personally, I’d prefer no VAR. If it’s human error, then so be it. But the fact we make mistakes, review it and still make mistakes, that’s not acceptable."