Former Premier League ref Peter Walton slams TNT Sports bosses after being dropped by broadcaster

Former Premier League referee Peter Walton has laid into TNT Sports after they let him ahead of the new season.

BT Sport has rebranded to TNT and brought in Laura Woods as a major signing to front their coverage going forward.

Many of their pundits, such as the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Peter Crouch, Steve McManaman, Rachel Brown-Finnis, Joleon Lescott, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes, will continue to give their analysis.

The likeable Ally McCoist will be a co-commentator for Premier League and Champions League fixtures in a move that should prove very popular.

But Walton, who refereed at the top level for nearly 20 years, will no longer be offering his two cents.

The 63-year-old was part of the BT Sport Score show on Saturdays and provided insight on all the refereeing controversies taking place in live fixtures - although his views were not always welcomed.

TNT will not have an ex official this season but Sky Sports have moved to secure the services of Mike Dean, who recently stepped down from a VAR role.

That appointment came just hours after news of Walton's departure came to light.

And Walton believes TNT will be missing a trick in not having the insight, feeling as though it might just be reflected in viewing figures.

Image: Getty

"I do think it’s a mistake because, like it or not, match officials are part of that entertainment package that we now want to see. Fans are getting used to that and I think the majority welcome it because it’s interesting to hear the so-called experts give their view," he told BettingSites.co.uk.

"So by doing away with that I think TNT have missed a trick and certainly Sky, while they didn’t want to be see to be following a competitor’s initiative, as soon as it was known that TNT were not going to have a refereeing expert they said well we are because we can see the value in it.

"I don’t know the reasons why they’ve picked him but my thoughts behind that is that Mike is fresh off the field and is a known face in the game itself. You use the word divisive, well he can be but most referees are divisive it just depends on if you’re wearing a blue shirt or a red shirt.

“So I think it’s good that he’s on that panel and it’s good that he’ll be giving refereeing a voice but he has to be careful because broadcasters want entertainment as well. He’s got a great sense of humour so I look forward to seeing that.

"But yes good for Sky Sports and I’ll be watching keenly. If they’ve got a product that another broadcaster hasn’t got then good for them and we’ll see the results when the viewing stats come out!”

Image: Getty

Walton officiated in the Premier League from 1993 right up until 2012 but it was in his role as a broadcaster where he came in for heavy criticism, with many not liking him siding with referees.

He added: "I think I got more abuse, for want of a better word, in my latter years as a broadcaster rather than as an active referee.

"Everyone's got an opinion which is fine, but when it gets personal that's a bit disappointing because I'm only saying what my opinion is and trying to back it up with law, and I don't make the law I only implement it."