West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce wants to see ex-footballers taking up refereeing.

Failed footballers should be put into a referee's academy, says Allardyce.

He said: "Development and recruitment of referees is something that needs a big push.

"How we train and develop referees can be enhanced and brought forward for an academy scenario. There are lots of ex players who don't quite make it between the ages of 18 and 22 that when released by the football club will be very interested in going into refereeing.

"They all have a knowledge of the game and a knowledge of the laws of the game.

"Put them into the academies, keep them off the parks, put them on there when they're a bit more mature. Then they can experience the abuse you can often get there - because they do need to handle that when it comes your way."