Premier League referees Andy Madley and David Coote have failed the fitness test to become members of the FIFA international list.
In an embarrassing episode for the PGMOL and referees' chief Mike Riley, Sportsmail can reveal the pair attended a training camp in Majorca recently but did not meet the physical standard required to proceed.
Madley and Coote will now be given the chance to retake the test and sources have indicated they were suffering from 'cold and flu' symptoms and 'not operating at their peak' during the exam.
The duo were the only male referees put forward by PGMOL to represent England in this year's intake.
But their induction was cut short after they failed to complete what is the equivalent of a strenuous 'bleep test'. It is understood Coote came within a couple of sprints of finishing the test but had been served several warnings and was pulled out. Madley was some way short.
It does not reflect well on the PGMOL, who did not have a representative at the last World Cup. Being a member of the FIFA list allows officials to preside over Champions League and Europa League games, as well as international fixtures.
England have six referees on the list, with Michael Oliver considered by far the best. Riley will be hoping his latest recommendations can prove their fitness when given a second chance by FIFA.
Coote took charge of his first Premier League match in 2018 having started at the Notts FA. Madley began refereeing top-flight games in the same year after starting in West Yorkshire's local leagues.
He is the older brother of former Premier League referee Bobby, who was sacked in 2018 after recording a video joking about a disabled person.
wiyabeklsz
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so overated English lads
naomnsuz
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Let them consider the gym and train a lot it's a shame to waste such an opportunity
Fidelscosimao
1
Not a good news is English referee
Cicbdmortu
2
The problem here is that instead of officiating what is happening the refs tend to think of the club history and overrules what is happening because they would say that club should not be seen defeating that one and even the decisions are not equal hanse the separate translation of the game rules in the other leagues and ours and the way that is viewed world wide. Remember our ref gave a player in a world cup game two yellow cards but no send-off, very embarrassing indeed and since then English refering has been taken as a joke by everyone but because we are English and starbbon we don't change and we think ours is the best. What a shame this is leading. My opinion.
vuzmrst
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English referees are very poor and overrated
Kumbe_M
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VAR saved them big! now the face a chance to retake the penalty-test.
Zapbiy
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English referees is the worst
Vubabnsuy
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I wish Mike Dean was also there and fail cause he is the referee I don't want to see in EPL
just know I hate him too
Jipabemoy
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Poor English referees 😥
nisdekr
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See dem, all they know is to go watch VAR as if is teleball not football
pacilnps
2
I wish Mike Dean was also there and fail cause he is the referee I don't want to see in EPL
CashErra10
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this is funny. But it happens for real. It's not the end of life though
MrMeeeeeee
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They probably waited all their lives for this moment and they went on the beer the night before 😂🤣😂 It's called the man flu 😃
MrMeeeeeee
4
Goooooo Home 🤣😂
DaMhztourage
2
They actually failed VAR test 😂😂 , but FIFA is considering them for a second chance