Amy Rayner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amy Rayner is an English referee from Leicestershire^[1] who oversees matches in the Football Conference. She was the subject of controversial comments made by Luton Town manager Mike Newell in November of 2006.^[2]

[edit] Biography

She grew up in Staffordshire, where as a girl, she expressed a desire to play football with her brother.^[3] However, she grew frustrated at the lack of opportunities to play because of no girls football facilities available at the time. When she was 13, her father went on a course to gain qualification as a referee; something which inspired Rayner to do the same. She qualified just after her 14th birthday. Being under 16 meant she could only referee at the Under-12 level; something which she did for two years. Aged 16, the restriction was lifted, and she began refereeing in the Midland Football Alliance before a number of minor leagues were merged to form the Conference North and Conference South. She refereed in these leagues for some time, before being promoted to the Conference, aged 26. Around this time, she was also given responsibilities as a linesman. She continues to balance her soccer officiating duties with a full-time accounting job. In 2006, aged 28, she expressed a desire to move up to the Football League.

[edit] Sexism controversy

Rayner, speaking of sexism in football, has previously said, "there's no problem within bodies like The FA and The Football League - everybody is treated as equal and women get the same opportunities of advancement as men". However, she has also admitted that sexist attitudes do exist within the game, saying, "you do need a thick skin [as a female referee], perhaps more so as a female referee than a male".

Her comments rang true in November 2006, after comments from Mike Newell after his Luton Town side lost a game 3-2 to QPR on November 11, 2006.^[4] Angry with the officials decision not to award Luton a penalty, Newell's words were, "She shouldn't be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist. This is not park football, so what are women doing here?". The FA promised to investigate allegations of sexism, and Neale Barry, the FA's Head of Senior Referee Development, fully supported Rayner, saying "English football needs more Amy Rayners".^[5]

Newell later apologised to Rayner, saying, "My apology to Amy Rayner, and to anyone I've offended, is unreserved. I was out of order and she has accepted it".^[6] He was eventually fined a total of £6,500 and given a warning by his club.^[7]