From time to time, The Economist attempts to shed it's image as a purveyor of the dismal science (sic) by displaying it's Big Mac Index. This uses the concept of Purchasing Power Parity (a little device Economists use to disguise global realities) to compare the costs of Macdonald's repulsive offerings around the world. The index provides a snapshot of which currencies are currently under or over valued.
In a similarly pithy style, I'd like to introduce The Bum Ref Index which compares the performance of all the FA Premiership referees for season 06/07. While I am unwilling to disclose the secret formula that I have used to determine the Index, I will admit a degree of subjectivity. But only a degree...
The Bum Ref Index assesses referees for the degree of impact they have on the game as it is a generally held view that the best officials are virtually invisible on the field of play. So here goes...the Worst 5 officials followed by the best 5 (complete to last weekend's games).
17th and Last: Walton 3.25
16th and Relegation Position: Dean 2.90
15th and Relegation Position: Gallagher 2.89
14th: Mason 2.84
13th: Halsey 2.75
5th and UEFA Cup Place: Webb 2.14
4th and Champions League: Atkinson 2.09
3rd: Dowd 1.95
2nd: Bennett 1.76
1st: Foy 1.57
© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
