Styles: Criticism had no bearing on my decision to quit
Rob Styles has admitted heavy criticism over his Premier League performances had taken its toll on his passion for refereeing.
But he insists it is not the chief reason why he has prematurely retired.
The 45-year-old has often been a controversial figure in top-flight football since his arrival in 2000.
Last season alone he came under fire with high-profile decisions in several matches which were later proven incorrect.
Habib Beye and Paul Robinson both had red cards issued by Styles overturned, decisions which proved costly to two sides ultimately relegated.
And Styles conceded it had played a part in his declining job satisfaction.
He said: 'People who know me can read my body language and if you set yourself incredibly high standards you are that much more disappointed if things don't go right for you.
'I know I have made one or two errors in the last couple of seasons. They are not uncharacteristic errors because I have made errors throughout my career, every referee does.
'But refereeing the FA Cup final means your profile as a referee rises, therefore, the errors that you make have a higher focus put upon them because they tend to happen in bigger games.
'Refereeing at the top level is a package. It's ambition, job satisfaction and enjoyment and if I said to anyone "Do you enjoy being criticised?" the answer is always going to be no.
'In that respect, it contributed to an erosion of job satisfaction and enjoyment being a referee.
'You don't want to make mistakes, you train so hard to eliminate errors and if I'm wrong I'll hold my hand up.
'But why I've retired is not just about that.'
Despite the criticism, Styles has often found fans' sympathy.
And it's a widespread reaction away from the football pitch he appreciates.
He added: 'I have never, ever had a single person give me stick away from a football match.
'Warwick Services is like football central and if I am travelling south to north I always target it, stop there, stretch my legs and use the facilities.
'You get fans from everywhere there. Some recognise you and I have never, ever had stick.
'Some 99 per cent of their comments are "I wouldn't like your job".
'The vast majority of football fans when you talk to them individually are like that and I'm really, really thankful for that.'
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
