The FFA has bowed to fan pressure to address the issue after a string of matches have changed course on the basis of dubious referee decisions, just nine rounds into the competition.

Fans have been enraged by poor red card and penalty calls that have been made or ignored by A-League referees with no apparent consistency, and which have turned games around.

Decisions have been overturned on appeal - but the match review panel's reversal can't change the outcome of the matches transformed by farcical refereeing.

The fury has been fired further by some officials apparently lacking a full grasp of the laws of the game with other dreadful calls - including, among many, an offside from a throw-in and Archie Thompson called offside while at least 5m onside, ruling out his subsequent goal.

Now with the growing concensus that refereeing standards in the A-League have failed to keep pace with the improving standard of play, the FFA has vowed to take action.

Today they announced they are setting up a new National Referees Technical Committee to tackle the problem - and its chief aim will be to lift standards across the domestic competition.

"The FFA is committed to developing football in Australia at all levels," said the FFA in a statement this afternoon confirming the committee's creation.

"The appointment of this new National Referees Technical Committee will serve to develop and improve the processes and performance of referees both domestically and on an international stage."

The initial NTRC members are Mark Shield – Chairman, Airlie Keen – ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and Women’s World Cup Match Official, Nathan Gibson ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and 2006 World Cup Match Official, Sharon O’Neil – FFA referee instructor, Ben Wilson - ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and 2006 World Cup Match Official, Andy Harper – NSL player and media commentator.

Committee chairman Mark Shield added; "The FFA have formed the NRTC to help us all achieve [...] uniform interpretation of the laws of the game [and to] enhance our top quality performing officials."

The committee will be charged with drawing up a standard national curriculum for referees, and advise the existing referees on the direction they should be taking, as well as investigating the current structure and improving it.

The NTRC’s initial 12-18 month brief will focus on:-

  • Drafting the national curriculum and FFA operating guidelines for referees which accords with FIFA and AFC.
  • Implementing a new development structure in consultation with the State Member Federations
  • Co-ordinating schedules to assist States with more training and development
  • Conducting a review of existing guidelines and programs such as accreditation.
  • Constructing a regular consultation and input process with key stakeholders.