Crewe Alexandra: Boss Lee Bell questions reasoning behind EFL refereeing appointments

Crewe Alexandra are fourth in League Two

Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell has questioned the logic behind the process of some match referee appointments in the English Football League.

Two of promotion-seeking Crewe's past five home League Two games have been overseen by referees making EFL debuts.

Another of those five matches was refereed by an official who had taken charge of just two prior EFL matches.

"These are big games - I think it's unfair on them to be thrown in that situation," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

Crewe's 3-2 home defeat by Salford in January was refereed by Stephen Parkinson, who had previously only officiated EFL Trophy and National League matches.

Another 3-2 loss at the Mornflake Stadium, to Morecambe in early March, was presided over by Farai Hallam, who had just two previous League Two games under his belt.

And EFL debutant Andrew Humphries took charge of the Railwaymen's 1-0 win over bottom side Sutton United on Tuesday.

Victory moved fourth-placed Alex within two points of the automatic promotion spots with nine games remaining, while struggling Sutton slipped six points off safety.

"Sutton are fighting for their lives, we're obviously going for it at the other end - and I think it's unfair these officials are put into these situations," Bell added.

"I find it difficult that these decisions are being made. To have three referees [of that relative inexperience in recent games] - I can't understand it.

"They shouldn't be doing it with the magnitude of these games. That game [on Tuesday] needed a more experienced head.

"In five games' time there might be fixtures where teams aren't going to go down, they're not going to go up, if you want to gain them some experience."

Refereeing appointments are made on a merit basis, with officials earning promotions - as would players, teams and managers - based on good performances.