E43 | Peter O’Leary
Episode summary | Peter O’Leary
Peter O’Leary is an incredibly experienced referee who has travelled the world and officiated at some of the world’s biggest football events.
In this episode we go in depth on his experiences at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 after his referee trio made an error disallowing a goal in the crucial Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria match. In the fallout he received death threats and 20,000 people signed a petition demanding he be booted out of the tournament. We talk about the time he was plucked from the grandstand to officiate an English Premier League match and some of his experiences around the world.
Peter’s sense of humour comes through in this review of a career spent in the middle of a football pitch and he even officiates some unresolved Between Two Beers matters.
Show notes | Peter O’Leary
1.29 New Zealand’s most experienced referee? How we know Peter O’Leary and he officiates some unresolved Between Two Beers matters
7.44 A review of Peter’s referee career and we go back to where it all started including ensuring players protection on the pitch
14.47 Trolls on and off the pitch and the “FIFA” accent
20.41 Out of the grandstand and onto the pitch in the English Premier League
25.15 What was the difference between Peter O’Leary and the best referees in the world?
28.31 Some of the sacrifices made to pursue a career in refereeing
30.44 Peter’s FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 experience – Goal Line Technology and the decision in the Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria match
50.49 Getting onto the world stage after the 2004 Olympics debacle. The “feeling for the game” and support for referees
55.35 Changes in refereeing over 20 years of refereeing
58.32 Can you be too close to a referee?
1.02.58 The state of refereeing in New Zealand, abuse of match officials, and players as referees
1.08.34. A day in the life of a Northern League referee, memorable matches and a few stories from Peter’s years refereeing around Oceania
1.21.52 The relationship with Mike Hester
1.23.24 Last words from Seamus, Steven, and Peter
