The Premier League have made a major decision with regard to their officials’ appointments for this weekend’s fixture between Manchester United and Leeds United.
The clash at Old Trafford will have major implications at both the top and bottom of the Premier League table, with United sitting third in the table and on course for UEFA Champions League qualification next season, while the Whites are 15th, just four points above the relegation zone with four games to play.
But while there are big stories to unfold on the pitch, there is another one going on off the pitch too.
Match Official Facing Disciplinary Hearing
The Premier League name the group of match officials for every weekend’s games at the start of the week and this week’s news item showed that assistant referee Richard West had been named for the game between the two historic fierce rivals.
West had run the line for Chelsea’s 7-0 FA Cup romp over Port Vale at the weekend and has been handed the game between Manchester United and Leeds United too, despite facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee in his role as a sergeant at Humberside Police.
And despite the allegations hanging over his head, there are no plans to make a change and stand West down from his duties this weekend, according to the Athletic. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) who oversee the decisions are, however, monitoring the hearing and its outcome.
The 51-year-old assistant referee is the subject of a gross misconduct hearing, expected to take place later this month, accused of “discreditable conduct” between 2024 and 2025 against a female colleague who had worked under him and was going through a personal crisis.
West Was Allowed To Return To The Police Despite Premier League Role
Premier League ball
The report in the Sun adds that West is accused of embarking on an “off-duty relationship” with her, but when she ended it, it is said he “subjected her to unwanted and inappropriate contact”, including bombarding her with gifts and phone messages.
West has been banned from public-facing duties as a police officer until the five-day hearing and if the allegations are upheld he could lose his position as a sergeant in the police force.
It has been reported that West returned to Humberside Police in a part-time role a few years ago to top up his pension, with his shifts arranged around his football refereeing schedule. He has two children, and his wife also works in a civilian role with the same force.
The hearing will start on April 27.
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