The Man in the Middle - Alan Kelly Interview

Currently residing stateside in Massachusetts, Irish referee Alan Kelly has soared within his profession. Ahead of the start of the 2016 Major League Soccer season, Extratime.ie got a chance to catch up with the Corkman to discuss his career to date and football as viewed from a man in the middle.

One of four Kellys to have featured in the League of Ireland, Alan explains how he took up the whistle. “I used to travel with my father (Pat) when he refereed, so I grew up visiting a lot of grounds. On Tuesday evenings, the Cork-based LOI officials trained in the Mardyke and I’d also go along.

"I played schoolboy football and then in the Munster Senior League. When I was about 17/18, my first thoughts of refereeing occurred. Recovering from injury, I took the beginners’ course, refereed schoolboy games and caught the bug. You couldn’t referee and play then, so it was a difficult decision.”

His father was regarded as Ireland’s leading official and who subsequently became a referee assessor. So did following in his father’s footsteps ease Kelly’s pathway eased or provide added presssure?  

“It had its pros and cons. Dad’s career finished with the 1996 FAI Cup final, while my LOI journey started around 1999/2000. There were players familiar with him and weren’t shy in letting me know.

"I knew early on I would have to earn respect and believe that I did. My brother Graham referees in the LOI and he’s been compared with dad and me.”

“Due to dad assessing LOI referees, it’s been said that I owe my career to this, but I disagree. I admit that his position gave me an opportunity, but I had to make the most of it. He didn’t assess my games or impose, only advising when warranted. When we disagreed on refereeing, it was difficult on our personal relationship.”

Presiding over 350 Irish topflight matches, numerous cup finals and earning personal awards, Alan made FIFA’s list for officials, taking charge of European club and friendly international fixtures, but he never appeared in the major tournaments.

“The World Cup or European Championship was a career goal, but I won’t get the opportunity. For the World Cup, UEFA are allocated 12 spots, so you’re competing with referees from bigger footballing nations. They officiate top domestic games in bigger stadia, bringing significant advantages.”

After reaching the national refereeing peak, 2014 saw the Leesider accept a mentoring position within the US’s Professional Referee Organisation, but was then asked to replace members, who were on lockout. Alan compares refereeing structures on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Working in a professional, full-time basis is different. Our Training and Development Manager works on video analysis, delivering coaching sessions and constructive feedback in a training camp for two days, every fortnight throughout the season.”

“Before I joined the LOI panel, I was in the School of Excellence, an FAI initiative identifying, coaching and educating talent, then promoting them when ready. We met pre-season, with two regionalised gatherings mid-campaign … Not the best learning environment. We have dedicated officials at home, who deserve every chance to fulfil their potential and not fall behind other countries.”

2015’s MLS Referee of the Year, Alan discusses why only a fraction of footballers turn to refereeing at retirement: “Many have mentioned that more ex-players should enter refereeing to improve standards, but I don’t support that theory. There are success stories of guys crossing over, but mostly at local level.”

Football referees receive less respect than in other team sports and Kelly shares his thoughts on this matter: “We understand that players say things in the heat of the moment, but try and manage those situations.

"Rugby is held up as a shining example of respect towards referees, but I recently saw a player push Wayne Barnes and go unpunished [during the game]… In football that’s a red card. It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to respect, but it’s a two-way thing.”

Kelly has been a long-time advocate of on-field communication, but what about his feelings on the demand for post-match decision explanations?

“In the MLS, a ‘Pool Reporter’ can submit a written question about a decision to the referee, who can choose to reply – also in writing ... It can be a positive resource. I’ve been wrong on plenty of occasions and admitted it, but how many times has a player said: ‘It’s my fault for giving away a penalty’?”

Technology is often touted as an aid for correct decision making, but Kelly gives a referee’s perspective: “I’m open to it in certain situations, but that wasn’t always the case. Circumstances like goal/no goal, I’ve slowly changed my opinion on. Further technology use is inevitable, but I hope it’s not going to be rushed in.” 

After over 100 appointments around Europe, does Kelly cherish any particular career highlights? “Officiating the 2003 and 2009 FAI Cup finals, Champions League games in Madrid and Munich and Spain v Argentina stand out, but also my first LOI game, Limerick and Athlone, in Rathbane.” 

In addition, the Corkonian reveals a humorous moment in the aforementioned Spain v Argentina friendly: “Martin Demichelis expressed displeasure in Spanish at a decision.

My assistant, who’s an Irish teacher and fluent speaker, urged me to respond and promptly spoke ‘As Gaeilge’ into my ear piece. I repeated it to Demichelis, who asked: ‘What f**king language is that?’ I still have no idea what I said!”

So just where does Kelly envisage his next career move to be?

“I’m currently preparing for the 2016 MLS campaign. My family have settled in the US, but we do miss our relatives. I’ve spoken at referee conferences and been invited to do more mentoring, an area I plan to pursue. With my background, referee administration is somewhere I can make a difference.”