English referee Bobby Madley has said he will return to refereeing football tournaments in England at the start of next season, two years after losing his job due to a controversial video.
Madley, 34, was sacked from his position in the English Premier League in 2018 after he sent a video of one of his friends that ridiculed a disabled person.
After talks with the Association of Referees, Madley accepted an offer that allowed him to rule in the third division and fourth division league in England.
Madley said on a social networking site: “18 months ago I lost the job that I love as a professional football referee due to the silly and stupid actions. I regret.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to return to refereeing in the Professional Championships in England,” he added.
And Madley added: “The Association of Professional Rulers has dealt with what is considered racist behavior in the strongest way … and I can thank her for her ability to forgive and for not ruling a person through a simple, naive behavior, and for giving me a second opportunity to do what I love to do.”
Madley confirmed that he had agreed to attend a workshop organized by the League to combat racism.
Madley will also run matches in lower-level competitions for the remainder of this season, and he says this will help him return fully, again, to the game’s atmosphere in England.
