As someone who works alongside the betting industry, the idea that bookmakers want matches to be rigged is a non starter. Bookmakers make loads of money from football without the games being rigged. If they were match fixing involved the bookmakers would be the ones who lose out, firstly they would be the ones being taken for a ride on the individual fixture, secondly it would undermine faith in the system and punters would be less likely to make bets.

The FA are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game. The day after Arteta’s comments I was voluntarily running the line of an under 12s match and I got a barrage of petty abuse from the coaching staff of an under 12s team. I wasn’t doing it for fun, I was doing it just because someone had to or the kids don’t get to play. Grassroots football has a massive problem with getting referees for matches. Referees might need to improve, processes for decision might need to be improved, but the whole pyramid needs to have referees and they need to be treated with a baseline of respect.