The Football Association were today urged to instigate a major overhaul of the system for training and assessing referees.

A highly critical report, commissioned by the League Managers Association and the Professional Footballers' Association, insists changes are essential.

The report claims the existing system lacks coherence and has failed to embrace changes in technology. Key changes called for by the LMA and PFA are the introduction of 'tests of competence' for match officials and the creation of a referees' academy to train and develop officials.

The report - which has been passed to the FA - also calls for a fast-track route for former players who want to take up the job, as well as a new complaints procedure that will give clubs, managers and players the right to comment on referees' displays.

Conducted by a working party under Brentford chairman Greg Dyke, the report attacks the way the performance of referees is monitored.

In particular, it highlights the failure to use video analysis, claiming the current assessor system "is not supporting referees and is discourteous to players, managers, referees, fans and the laws of the game".

The FA are responsible for implementing any changes and the report's authors hope its recommendations will be used.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "What's become very clear now is that managers are strongly united and want to see major improvements in refereeing and decision making. With a more professional structure for refereeing, we will quickly start to see improved standards."

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson added: "Football has changed and developed enormously over recent years and the job of the referee has become more difficult.

"The game is quicker, players fitter and more skilful, there is a more scientific approach to player development and advances in technology allow every element of the game to be a analysed."

Key proposals

* a formalised complaints procedure for clubs, managers and players who have issues with referees.

* a new referee academy tasked with research and talent identification, including a fast-tracking system to recognise special ability.

* a new director of professional referee training.

* a set of agreed competences, which serve as the basis for training.

* competency tests which acknowledge the experience gained by ex-players who wish to be assessed.

* video referee performance analysis on every Premier League and Football League game.