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NICE
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One of Jay Jay Okocha's former teammates was too hot to handle for Premier League referees
Premier League referees have seen their fair share of fiery personalities over the years, but Jonathan Moss, one of England’s most experienced officials, has now revealed the most difficult player he ever managed.
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The retired referee, who officiated 274 top-flight matches, claims that Kevin Nolan, a former teammate of Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton Wanderers, was the hardest to control on the pitch.
Moss bemoans Nolans moaning
For over a decade, Jonathan Moss had the daunting task of keeping order in the chaotic world of Premier League football.
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With 907 yellow cards, 14 red cards, and 81 penalties to his name, he encountered some of the league’s biggest characters. Still none, he says, were as relentless as Kevin Nolan.
Moss described Nolan’s unique ability to argue over even the smallest decisions, saying, “Without doubt, the most challenging player I ever came across in the Premier League was Kevin Nolan.
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“He could argue with himself in a paper bag. He would not let up at all, he’d be chirping at you all game. You’d give a simple throw-in on the halfway line, and he’d start arguing about it.”
Nolan, who played for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, and West Ham United, was notorious for his competitive spirit. Whether he was captaining a side or simply leading the charge in midfield, his verbal battles with referees became a common theme throughout his career.
Off the pitch, a different story
Interestingly, despite his on-field antics, Moss admitted that Nolan was one of the nicest people off the pitch.
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The ex-referee recalled pre-season visits to clubs where Nolan would be friendly, welcoming, and engaging.
Speaking on the Row Z FC Podcast, Moss added, “We used to go into clubs and do pre-season visits, and he [Nolan] would always come over and always chat to you. He was always such a nice guy. But when you went across that white line, it was like ‘right, here we go’.”
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Moss even admitted that Nolan’s banter made matches more entertaining, as it forced referees to hold their ground and occasionally fire back with a few witty one-liners.
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