Spain protest after their controversial exit (Allsport).

By Jamie Gardner, PA Sport

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Premier League referees' chief Philip Don has backed calls for referees from major football nations to take charge of all World Cup matches in future.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes it may be time to rethink the "politically correct" policy of sharing games equally between officials from all the world governing body's national associations in the wake of some glaring errors at the tournament, particularly in the knock-out stages.

Don told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I agree with what the FIFA president is saying, but after USA 94 Blatter said exactly the same about needing full-time professional referees.

"If you look at the lists this time, 14 of the referees are from Europe, six from South America and the other 16 have come from Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean who are not used to refereeing the standard of football you get at the World Cup."

Blatter has described some of the decisions made by referees and their assistants as "disastrous", with Spain having launched an official complaint at the decision to disallow two goals in their quarter-final defeat to South Korea.

However, Don felt such criticism should have been made in private.

"It's counter-productive (to publicly criticise referees) and it can do nothing for the morale of the referees out there.

"I say what I have to say to our referees in private. They are left in no uncertainty that I am unhappy but I wouldn't do it in public."

He also felt the extensive use of action replays has made life even more difficult for officials.

Slow-motion images are being shown to the crowd on giant screens seconds after incidents have taken place at this tournament, as well as countless times on television, and Don suggests the introduction of some form of video assistance might help.

Don added: "I'm in a similar position because the Premiership is so high-profile now. I have all the Premier League match videos on a Monday morning and it's clear that the television cameras certainly pick up what's going on.

"If a wrong decision is contrary to the law, a referee should hold his hands up and accept he's got it wrong.

"If it's a referee's opinion we have to accept it but where it's a factual mistake - such as whether a ball has crossed the goalline, was a foul in or outside the box and so on, that's maybe where the referee could get help."