He's become something of a fixture in the Hong Kong Soccer
Sevens, but Mike Riley's connection to the annual tournament
started in unlikely circumstances three years ago during a stopover
on his way to Australia.
Taking a couple of days break in the former British territory
before flying to Melbourne to officiate the Australia vs. Greece
2006 World Cup warm-up game, the Premier League referee was spotted
sitting in the stands at the Hong Kong Football Club.
He'd seen the event advertised and turned up at the ground,
paying his own admission at the gate. But instead of blending in
with the fans, the unmistakable Riley was quickly identified and
recruited to help out in Premier League-mad Hong Kong. He was
invited to the tournament awards' dinner, presenting the prize for
the best referee.
The following year, Riley was back, conducting coaching sessions
with the local referees' association and controlling the Hong Kong
FA Cup final. He stayed on to play a significant role in the 2007
Soccer Sevens, helping keep on-field emotions in check during
highly-competitive Masters' matches featuring former international
and ex-Premiership stars.
For the last two years - 2008 and 2009 - Riley's travel costs
were covered by a local legal firm with a partner who is an amateur
referee and a secretary of Hong Kong Football Club.
As well as officiating matches each May during the three-day
tournament - now officially known as the HKFC IP Global
International Soccer Sevens - Riley mentors local referees and
makes public and corporate appearances. "An Evening With Mike
Riley", organised by sports PR company Two Up Front, saw the
Yorkshireman conduct a lengthy Q and A with a captivated
audience.
And last year, Riley fulfilled a lifetime career ambition when
he was in the middle for Hong Kong's mini-version of the Old Firm
Derby - Celtic vs. Rangers - in the main tournament.
Born in Leeds in December 1964, Riley became a national Football
League referee in 1994 and earned his FIFA status five years later.
He's refereed three big English finals - including the 2002 FA Cup
final between Arsenal and Chelsea - and controlled two games at
Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Riley has seen his fair share of controversy during his long
career, sometimes in games involving Manchester United. Arsenal's
record 49-match unbeaten streak was broken in 2004 after Riley
awarded a highly-disputed penalty to Wayne Rooney after the striker
went down after minimal contact from Gunners' defender Sol
Campbell.
In April, Everton manager David Moyes questioned Riley's
appointment to their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United
because of press reports that Riley was a lifelong Red Devils'
supporter. In the final match of the 2002-2003 season, a penalty
awarded to Man United against Everton effectively cost Moyes' side
a place in the Uefa Cup and the Scotsman called for an FA
investigation into Riley's links to Old Trafford.
Even in the 2007 Hong Kong FA Cup final, he raised some eyebrows
by awarding three penalties - two of them to South China - as they
beat Happy Valley 3-1 to win a treble of domestic trophies.
After his most recent trip to Hong Kong, a relaxed Riley, known
for his sharp sense of humour on-and-off the field, sat down with
ESPN Soccernet to reflect on his Asian adventures
- and to look ahead to the new English Premier League season.
Q: Mike, how does refereeing in Hong Kong, including
controlling the Hong Kong FA Cup final, compare to the FA and
Carling Cup finals?
A: In refereeing any major final what strikes you as a
referee is the sense of occasion and the importance of the game for
the players and spectators of both teams. My FA Cup and Carling Cup
Finals were both played in front of 80,000 spectators in the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, walking out into the Hong
Kong Stadium with its magnificent backdrop of skyscrapers and to
the noise generated by the spectators in the main stand was every
bit as exciting. It was also the first match I have ever refereed
in monsoon conditions, with the last 25 minutes played out in
torrential rain. It was a credit to the skill of the players that
the entertainment and quality of the match that it continued in
spite of the conditions. And for a Yorkshireman to say that he's
never been wetter gives some indication of just how much it
rained!
Q: Looking ahead to the new Premier League season, is it
becoming easier or harder for referees?
A: Every season poses new challenges for referees and
players alike. The speed and intensity of the game increases as
teams strive to give their best. As referees we train hard to be
able to meet the physical demands these improvements place upon us.
We also devote a considerable amount of time and resources to
analysing our performances, with a view to improving as officials
in every match that we participate in. So yes, the challenges
increase season by season but so too does the thrill of
participating in one of the best competitions in the world.
Q: How has the FA's Respect Program affected the
relationship between referees and players?
A: In my view, the Respect Program has benefitted the game
enormously. Both players and referees have responded positively and
responsibly. The pre-match discussion with team captains and their
willingness to assist in managing their players during the game has
enabled referees to manage the game more effectively and has
contributed to a more entertaining spectacle.
Q: You turn 45 in December. How difficult is it to keep
passing the referee fitness tests?
A: Fortunately, as a Select Group referee, I have the
support of a sports scientist who provides training plans to make
sure that I am always match fit - and, therefore, able to pass the
fitness tests. As refereeing is my main job I also have the time
necessary to devote to proper training. On average I will train for
2 hours per day, 5 days a week, assuming that I have one match at
the weekend. All of our training is recorded on heart rate monitors
and is analysed weekly by our sports scientist.
Interestingly, using the Prozone system, our physical
performance during each match is also analysed. Within two days of
a game I receive a report detailing how much distance I covered in
a game, broken down in to sprinting, high intensity running,
jogging and walking. The number of sprints and running speed are
also listed. This information informs the training plan for the
following weeks and is designed to make sure that we take to the
field as prepared as possible.
Q: You've been involved in some humorous incidents over
the years. Tell us about the time you showed a red card to the
Reading mascot?
A: Fortunately, there are many humorous and enjoyable
incidents in football. On this occasion the mascot, who was dressed
in the Reading strip, was dancing on the touchline adjacent to the
Reading penalty area. The job of an Assistant Referee is difficult
enough and I was concerned that, in glancing up as Reading
attacked, he may mistake the colours for those of a Reading player
and flag for offside. Trying to be helpful I asked for the mascot
to be moved away from the penalty area. I probably did a great
disservice to my Assistant as everyone then thought he couldn't
tell the difference between an eight foot mascot and a player!
Q: The ambition of players to win silverware and titles,
but what is the ultimate goal for a referee?
A: The ultimate goal for a referee in England is probably
to referee the FA Cup Final. The system in England means that you
are only ever invited to referee this match once and competition
for the appointment is strong. I was fortunate to take charge of
the 2002 final between Arsenal and Chelsea, notable for two
magnificent goals. It is also the one occasion where your family
and friends are part of the occasion, making the event more
memorable.