Bolton manager Owen Coyle is bemused by the decision to demote referee Stuart Attwell from the Premier League back to the Football League.
Trotters boss unable to see logic in downgrading referee
Bolton manager Owen Coyle is bemused by the decision to demote referee Stuart Attwell from the Premier League back to the Football League.
The 29-year-old lost his position in the Select Group of referees having been downgraded to the National List following a number of controversies.
Attwell's career has been marred with a number of incidents, including awarding a 'ghost' goal to Reading when they faced Watford in 2008.
The official was subject to scrutiny once again in December when he sent off Trotters defender Gary Cahill during the side's 3-0 defeat by Tottenham at White Hart Lane, with the red card overturned on appeal by the FA.
Terrific
But despite being angered by the initial decision, Bolton boss Coyle believes Attwell has the quality to be a Premier League referee and fails to see the logic in demoting the official.
"Stuart is going to be a terrific referee for many years to come," he said. "In the middle of the season, for one young referee to be taken from the list, I don't understand that.
"I've spoken to him since the Gary Cahill incident and I have always found him pleasant and well-mannered and he wants to be as good at his job as he possibly can."
Attwell became the youngest-ever Premier League referee at 25 when he made his officiating debut, taking charge of Blackburn against Hull in 2008.
