For me one of the worst referees to ever officiate a game. Just need Howard Webb to do one now.

One of the most controversial referees to officiate in the Premier League over the past decade, Rob Styles, has decided to end his officiating career early.

A resignation letter from Styles is expected to arrive at the FA today, calling time on a 22-year career which began in the Wessex League.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll said he was 'saddened but not surprised' by the decision. Poll, who himself retired from officiating in the Premier League in 2007, told the Daily Mail: "He cared deeply about his refereeing, dedicating himself to serving the game he loves. However, the fact that the majority of the football-watching public will merely shrug their shoulders in indifference at this news or say 'Good' proves the lack of understanding of the modern referee."

In recent years, 45-year-old Styles attracted criticism for his decisions in a number of the Premier League's highest profile matches, notably Liverpool's match against Chelsea at the beginning of the 2007-08 season, when he awarded a disputed penalty to Chelsea before showing Michael Essien two yellow cards without sending him off.

In the 2008-09 season, Styles awarded Manchester United a penalty against Bolton when Cristiano Ronaldo was challenged fairly by Jlloyd Samuel in the area. Ronaldo and his team-mates did not seem to appeal for a foul before Styles awarded the penalty to the astonishment of Bolton's players. He was roundly criticised for making an incorrect decision in the following days.

Styles who is also on Fifa's list of referees, officiated in the 2005 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium between Arsenal and Manchester United.

Styles Retires Early (Guardian)

I think it is a shame..I firmly believe our current bunch are refs are not bad..I share the anger with certain refs in cetain games, but it leaves me the moment I leave the ground..

I would rather Rob Styles than that Norwegian Ref anyday.

The flip side to this is there is a shortage of refs, who would want to do the job ?

Mike Riley is worse than any of them.

Dirty little c**t.

I would rather Rob Styles than that Norwegian Ref anyday.

Rob Styles is easily one of the worst referees I've seen. I've seen poor officiating from him on many occasions, but I've seen Øvrebø in just one match, so I don't know how he usually is. I'm not defending what Øvrebø did in the infamous match, but I've seen equally incompetent refereeing from some of the English referees on a regular basis. Riley and Styles are definitely one of the worst I've seen on such a high level.

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by Maksimov

What refs do you consider "good" in the premiership?

What refs do you consider "good" in the premiership?

I don't pay much attention to the referees unless they make mistakes so I tend to remember the bad ones. So, I guess I'd say the best ones are the refs who don't draw much attention to themselves.

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by Maksimov

I think all referees are ok till they award a controversial decision against your team. These days every decision is scrutinised by the watching media using 24 cameras. FIFA in turn doesnt help the officials by denying them access to the same instant video. As for the best refs Ive found Alan Wiley quite fair and add Peter Walton and Mark Halsey to that list , though Halsey did mistakenly send off JT ...it just goes to show you.

I don't pay much attention to the referees unless they make mistakes so I tend to remember the bad ones. So, I guess I'd say the best ones are the refs who don't draw much attention to themselves.

This, essentially.

It's a policy I apply to Mikel as well. If I don't notice him doing something stupid he's probably having a good game.

good news.