'I’m going to ban the referees': David Healy refuses to do 'pointless exercise' after key Linfield player limps off 12 minutes into return
Linfield manager David Healy insists he’s “going to ban the referees from coming” to Windsor Park for a pre-season meeting after striker Kieran Offord was forced off just 12 minutes into his return to action following four months out.
Offord started the current campaign in sensational form, scoring three goals in six Conference League qualifying matches.
He also netted a hat-trick in Linfield’s opening league match of the season against Dungannon Swifts and followed it up with a winner at home to Cliftonville.
The 21-year-old had been sidelined since November with a foot injury but made a welcome return in Tuesday’s 3-1 Premiership victory against Portadown.
However, just a matter of moments after being introduced at half-time, Offord was on the receiving end of a firm challenge and ultimately left the pitch despite best efforts to continue.
It’s a major blow for Linfield ahead of Sunday’s BetMcLean Cup final showdown with ‘Big Two’ rivals Glentoran – Offord was sent for an x-ray to determine damage suffered.
Irish League managers and players usually meet with officials to discuss key points and potential changes ahead of a new season, but Healy is adamant he won’t be taking part with it a “pointless exercise”.
"It’s frustrating,” Healy told the club’s media channel. “Listen, I get on like a mad man on the touchline, sometimes I try to remain calm, but when a player has been out for the length of time Kieran has, he comes back in and within three or four minutes (he picks up an injury).
"We sit down with the referees at the start of the season and we go through the previous season – what’s going to be outlawed, the challenges, what is going to be banned, straight legs, forceful, intensity, the follow through and whatever else.
"I’m actually not doing it next year. I’m going to ban the referees from coming because it’s a pointless exercise.
"It’s a waste of time for the 45 minutes for the players and I’m certainly not wasting my time next year sitting down with a referee to go through decisions and discussions on what’s a yellow card last year and what will be a red this year when you see a decision like that.
"I won’t be doing it next year and I’ll be encouraging the players and people at the football club...I might as well bring my own set of fouls in and basically make my up own rules because that’s what is happening at the minute.
"Kieran is having to go for an x-ray, it’s on the same side but it’s not the same injury, it’s not the metatarsal, it’s his ankle, so he will get that tonight and we will assess him in the next 24-48 hours and see where he’s going to be.”