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Refereeing Standards in the LOI are Unacceptable, Says Duff – RTE.ie

Refereeing standards have been a topic of contention in the League of Ireland (LOI) for years, with many fans and players alike voicing their frustration with the inconsistencies and perceived bias of match officials. Now, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, known affectionately as ‘Duff,’ has spoken out about the issue, stating that the current standards are simply not acceptable. In this article, we’ll explore Duff’s comments and take a closer look at the challenges facing LOI referees.


The Derry City football team has been making headlines recently with their strong performances in the League of Ireland. However, there has been controversy surrounding the referee standards in the league. Derry City manager, Ruaidhri Higgins, has publicly stated that they are not acceptable. He has also raised concerns about the lack of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the league, which could improve the accuracy of referee decisions.

Despite this, the Derry City team has continued to perform well, with recent victories over Dublin Division Two League finalists, Shelbourne, as well as a strong showing in the SSE Airtricity League results. However, the team suffered a setback when defender Paddy Barrett was given a red card, but they managed to secure a win anyway.

Looking ahead, Derry City will face Shelbourne again in a upcoming match, and Higgins has stated that the FAI Cup drubbing they received earlier in the season will have no bearing on the upcoming game. The team’s focus is on winning and continuing to show their strength in the League of Ireland. Fans of Derry City can catch the game live on TV, or stream it online.


In conclusion, it is imperative that the decision-makers within the League of Ireland take a serious look at the refereeing standards currently in place. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the issues; action must be taken to ensure that fair play is upheld and the integrity of the game is not compromised. With the support of the sporting community and a willingness to implement necessary changes, we can ensure that players, coaches, and fans alike can trust in the fairness of our beloved game.

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