da dobrowin： Ex-Liverpool and England star Michael Owen has hit back at criticism suggesting he failed to challenge Howard Webb on 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up'.

da apostaganha： Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Owen appears alongside Webb on showCriticised for failing to challenge PGMOL chiefEx-forward called out online "scumbags"WHAT HAPPENED?

The ex-professional and current head of PGMOL, the Premier League's governing body for referees, presents the show each week, which looks to review and explain the significant calls from the last weekend's league action. In the most recent episode, Webb and Owen touched on a number of dubious incidents, includingNewcastle's controversial winner at home to Arsenal.

AdvertisementGetty/GOAL/Twitter:footballontntTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Other discussion points included Christian Romero's sending off in Tottenham's 4-1 loss to Chelsea, as well as Scott McTominay's disallowed goal for Manchester United against Fulham. But despite the polarising nature of some of the decisions, some supporters felt Owen's analysis was passive and that the 2001 Ballon d'Or winner failed to push Webb on why such decisions were made.

WHAT OWEN SAID

In response to such critics, which were collocated by , Owen took to Twitter and said: "You’re just scumbags. Always have been. Trawl through a load of messages until you find a couple of negative ones and then create an article. Most people thought the show was insightful and educational. Which is our aim."

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Owen is one of four English players to win the esteemed Ballon d'Or award for the best player in Europe, alongside Sir Stanley Matthews (1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966) and Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979).