Former Premier League referee reveals he has Parkinson’s illness

Former Premier League referee Phil Dowd has opened up on his battle with Parkinson’s illness.

Dowd, 61, loved a distinguished officiating profession from 1997 to 2016, which included 15 years within the high flight.

He took cost of a number of memorable video games, together with FA and League Cup finals, whereas additionally overseeing clashes that concerned the likes of Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, Dowd has revealed he was identified with Parkinson’s illness throughout Covid-19, which is a situation that impacts round 153,000 folks within the UK. 

Despite the tragic information, the previous official – who first turned conscious of varied signs when his spouse noticed him arm shaking – stays within the sport, working as a refereeing coach.

Former Premier League referee Phil Dowd has opened up on his battle with Parkinson’s illness

Dowd loved an outstanding profession from 1997 to 2016, together with 15 years as a high flight official

Dowd admitted he did not wish to imagine he had Parkinson’s within the early years of his prognosis

As a part of this he oversees the progress of six officers, together with Sunny Singh Gill, who turned the primary British South Asian referee within the Premier League when he took cost of Crystal Palace vs Luton earlier this month.

Dowd is equally a part of the PGMOL improvement group, whereas he has additionally aimed to boost consciousness about and promote the work of Parkinson’s UK, the main UK charity for individuals who undergo from the situation.

And Dowd, chatting with The Mirror, opened up on the challenges of his prognosis, however insisted he continues to keep up a constructive outlook on life. 

‘The specialist mentioned to me: “You’ve got Parkinson’s,”‘ he defined. ‘It hit me exhausting and I simply thought: “s***.” I didn’t wish to admit that I had it within the first two years after I used to be identified. 

‘At that stage, you don’t realise all of the signs since you suppose you simply shake a bit. But there’s so many different signs. Insomnia impacts me badly. I can discover it troublesome to get out of the chair at occasions. Everything slows down. I joke about all the time being within the centre circle in my final yr as a referee!’

‘You wish to cover it however soccer has been good to me. I additionally wish to present you’ll be able to lead an excellent life and it’s not as unhealthy as folks suppose. I’m nonetheless doing stuff. It’s necessary to be constructive and keep energetic. There’s no treatment. It impacts folks otherwise.’

Dowd – whose uncle additionally had Parkinson’s – hailed the assist he has acquired from the likes of PGMOL chief Howard Webb and insisted he’s delighted to nonetheless be concerned in soccer.

He additionally hailed the work of PGMOL chief Howard Webb and praised the present crop of referees

As a part of his function as a referee coach he oversees six officers, together with Sunny Singh Gill

Dowd additionally went onto hail the present crop of referees, regardless of the ever-increasing scrutiny officers appear to come back underneath, whereas he additionally opened up on his function as a coach.

He added: ‘It’s harder now. The requirements are a lot increased. I don’t suppose I’d dwell within the trendy world of refs. I watch the video games, it’s about pointers about what you are able to do otherwise, assist get them by way of.

‘There’s a lot to come back from this group. Howard Webb is pushing the requirements up and the sport is getting quicker, higher and extra technical. I’ve acquired no time for anybody who slags off Howard as a result of he’s working so exhausting and it’ll take time.’