Referees aim to regain anonymity in face of growing celebrity status

The Community Shield is often the testing ground for bold rule changes that flummox players, managers and audiences alike. Not this year. Now, on the eve of the traditional prologue to the Premiership season, it is referees themselves who have promised to change with the brave declaration they are to distance themselves from the growing cult of celebrity.

Recent autobiographies and regular television appearances from retired officials such as Jeff Winter and Graham Poll have caused much disquiet within the organisations they left behind to the extent that, in the middle of hosting several explanatory meetings with every Premiership and Football League club, there has also been plenty of discussion regarding self-regulation.

Such is the rising profile of the man in the middle that, from this season, their strips will carry the sponsorship logo of AirAsia. While the personal rewards have risen since the elite group of 19 leading referees turned professional, there is a sense too many employees have courted celebrity instead of anonymity and reputations have suffered.

"The conversations we have with players and managers are part of the 90 minutes of football," said Neale Barry yesterday, in reference to revelations in Poll's book about the dialogue he had while officiating at the highest level over the past decade. "I don't think there are any referees on the panel who want to be media stars."

That contention was backed up by Mark Halsey, the man chosen to officiate the first high-profile contest of the new campaign between Chelsea and Manchester United tomorrow. "I'd like to remain anonymous," he insisted. "It's not about referees, it's about the players and the game and youngsters learning from the game. That's what it's all about, people going home talking about the game rather than referee.

"I've got a big responsibility to the public, to the people, referees, young players, and hopefully the players will conduct themselves in a manner which means most people will be talking about the game, rather than what else has gone on. I realise all eyes will be on me as it's the season curtain-raiser, but it's just another gamein a fantastic stadium. A sell-out crowd and the first Community Shield at Wembley."

Barry, now the head of senior refereeing at the Football Association, believes the profile of officials has risen in accordance with the financial stakes of the modern game as much as through the intention of certain individuals. "When referees went professional, there was an increase in the pressure on them and on their profile and, in some cases, the media made them into household celebrities," he insisted.

"We just want referees to go out and referee to the best of their ability."

To that end, the FA advisor intends to resist pressure for referees to explain any contentious decisions on a regular basis. Barry added: "We don't mind the referees talking to the media on matters of fact – saying if he sent off a player for violent conduct or for serious foul play. But I don't think it would ever get to the situation where a referee would go to a press conference and ask why he did or did not give a penalty."