Former referees' chief Keith Hackett claims Martin Atkinson needs a rest after his "incompetent" officiating display in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley. The game was Atkinson's 32nd of season and came fewer than 72 hours after he took charge of Real Madrid's Champions League win at Schalke.
Hackett said: "Champions League games are tiring. Martin should have been given an additional day to recover."
Atkinson sent off Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic for pushing Ashley Barnes to the ground in the 70th minute of Saturday's game.
But Hackett said Barnes had already made two challenges worthy of red cards.
Barnes will face no disciplinary action by the Football Association for the challenge on Matic.
Hackett added Atkinson's performance was "one of the worst" he has seen, adding: "It was an incompetent display.
"I feel sorry for the Chelsea player because he has reacted to a leg-breaking challenge. Never mind a cup final that could have cost him his career.
"There is no place in the game for challenges like that and it should have been punished."
Atkinson has refereed more Premier League games than any other official this season.
Hackett added: "Send Martin to a hotel somewhere, just as Liverpool did with Raheem Sterling."
