Referees' chief Keith Hackett has revealed Alan Wiley offered to quit after accusations by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson about his fitness. Hackett admits he had to convince the experienced whistler to stay in the job the morning after Ferguson's remarks, for which he has since apologised, saying Wiley was ready to step down following the accusations.

"What football needs to realise is these guys have to walk down the street and into shopping malls and this was public pressure," he said in the Daily Star.

"I am not going to comment on the case but this is one of my most experienced referees. No-one is looking for a public execution as an outcome on anything.

"What I encourage is for anyone not happy with one of my officials, or anything about what we do, to ring up and I will go and see them.

"I would be stupid if I didn't listen to managers. Sam Allardyce has had a go this season but he knows I have taken advice from him and put it into practice."

Hackett also admitted that he rang Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez following the infamous beach ball incident at the Stadium of Light, when a Darren Bent strike was allowed to stand as a goal despite deflecting of the object thrown onto the pitch.

Hackett demoted referee Mike Jones the following weekend after the controversial events, but revealed he apologised to Reds manager over the phone.

"When I rang Benitez about the beach ball incident he was excellent about it," he added.

"I don't go around saying sorry all the time but I do when I think it's necessary. It was a rule and should have been known."