Amy Rayner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amy Rayner (born c. 1978) is an English football referee from Loughborough^[1] in Leicestershire^[2] 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.^[3]

1 Career
- 1.1 Sexism controversy
2 References
3 External links

[edit] Career

She grew up in Staffordshire, where, as a girl, she expressed a desire to play football with her brother.^[1] However, she grew frustrated at the lack of opportunities to play because no girls' football facilities were available at the time. When she was 13, her father went on a course to gain a 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 those at under 12 level, something which she did for two years. When she became 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 given responsibilities as an assistant referee, also being appointed to the FIFA assistants' list in 2005.^[4] She balances her football officiating duties with a full-time job as a financial analyst for Rolls-Royce in Derby.^[5] In 2006, aged 28, she expressed a desire to move up to the Football League.

[edit] Sexism controversy

Rayner, speaking of sexism in football, had 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 also admitted that sexist attitudes do exist within the game, saying: "You do need a thick skin though, perhaps more so as a female referee than a male".^[1]

Her opinions 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.^[6] Angry with the official's 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".^[7]

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".^[8] He was eventually fined a total of £6,500 and given a warning by his club.^[9]