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Stephen Graham Bennett (born 17 January 1961 in Farnborough, London Borough of Bromley) is a former English football referee who operated in the Premier League, and previously for FIFA as an assistant referee and then referee. ==Career== Bennett has been a referee since 1984, starting out in his home county of Kent.〔 In 1995 he began refereeing in the Football League, and since 1999 in the Premier League. In 2001 he was appointed as an official FIFA referee.〔 Bennett took charge of an official friendly international match, known as "The Other Final", in 2002, between the two lowest FIFA-ranked teams in the world at the time, Bhutan and Montserrat, at the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan. This took place on the morning of the World Cup Final in that year, and the home side won 4–0. The subsequent documentary film, entitled ''The Other Final'' and directed by Dutchman Johan Kramer, was released in 2003.〔(''The Other Final (2003)'' ) at IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 25 March 2008〕 In 2004 Bennett was criticised by FIFA president Sepp Blatter for having sent off Everton's Tim Cahill for removing his shirt after scoring against Manchester City.〔(Sepp Blatter's criticism ): BBC.co.uk news report. Retrieved on 25 March 2008〕 Bennett refereed the 2005 League Cup final at the Millennium Stadium between Chelsea and Liverpool, which the London club won by 3 goals to 2.〔 In October 2005, he was in charge of the World Cup qualifier between Norway and Moldova, when the home side won 1–0 with a goal from Sigurd Rushfeldt.〔(Norway v Moldova ) World Cup qualifier: ''Football.co.uk'' match report. Retrieved on 25 March 2008〕 He took charge of the UEFA quarter final first leg match in March 2006 between Benfica and Barcelona, the game ending 0–0. Bennett was chosen to referee the 2007 FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United on 19 May 2007, the first at the new Wembley Stadium.〔(Confirmation ) of FA Cup Final appointment, 2007: TheFA.com official website. Retrieved on 12 October 2014〕 Chelsea won by 1–0, Didier Drogba scoring late in the second half of extra time.〔(FA Cup Final 2007 ), match report: BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved on 25 March 2008〕 Bennett issued seven bookings, four of which came in the added 30 minutes. In the first period of extra time, Ryan Giggs' shot was gathered by Petr Čech. Giggs claimed that the ball had crossed the line, despite sliding into the goalkeeper and seemingly forcing the Chelsea man backwards. Bennett did not give a goal, but after the game Giggs commented: "It was clearly over the line - that's what I was asking for. I could see it was over the line and the referee did not give a free-kick so it was a goal."〔(Comments ) from BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved on 25 March 2008.〕 Carlos Queiroz, a Manchester United assistant coach, said: "It is a clear penalty, there is no doubt about that. We are not surprised because after the pressure of the last 15 days it is natural the referee under pressure is not able to make the crucial decision of the game. The more pressure you put on referees the more it seems like some teams and some managers become compensated in the game because nobody does anything about that."〔 Bennett was involved in some controversy when he refereed the Manchester United versus Liverpool Premier League encounter on 22 March 2008. He sent off Liverpool's Argentine Midfielder Javier Mascherano for a second bookable offence.〔http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2295381/Did-Javier-Mascherano-deserve-his-red-card.html. Retrieved on 12 October 2014〕 Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has publicly defended his player.〔(Mascherano second yellow card for "persistent dissent" ): from a report at the ''Watford Observer'' website. Retrieved on 12 October 2014〕 Mascherano initially said: "I do not know why I was sent off. I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him. All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else. So when he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it." Mascherano later retracted this line, apologizing for his actions and admitting his behavior was inappropriate.〔(ESPNsoccernet - England - Reds to appeal ban as Mascherano issues apology )〕 Mascherano admitted a charge of improper conduct, was fined two weeks wages by the club, and attended a personal hearing before the FA on 3 April. Following this, he received a further two-match ban and a £15,000 fine.〔("Mascherano slapped with fine and increased ban" ) after personal FA hearing: ESPNsoccernet website. Retrieved on 3 April 2008.〕 Since the incident, ''The Sun'' national newspaper has launched a 'Shut It' campaign, urging footballers to respect the referee and curb their argumentative behaviour.〔("Shut It" campaign ): ''The Sun'' website. Retrieved on 2 April 2008〕 Bennett retired from the FIFA list of referees in 2006, at the compulsory age of 45. In July 2009 Bennett was invited by the England and Wales Cricket Board Association of Cricket Officials to sit as an Independent Director on the new ACO Board.〔(Referee Bennett lands cricket job: BBC Sport )〕 In July 2010 Bennett retired from refereeing and has agreed to become a full-time referee coach, sharing his expertise in developing the next generation of referees.〔http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/top-referees-alan-wiley-steve-3354322〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Steve Bennett (referee)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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