Yeah I thought that’s the main issue, the transparency and declaring beforehand. The decision making can always be deciphered in certain ways but different individuals.
The fact they use a reffing pool similar to my club but hadn’t sounded out any of the non club associated refs is strange. Not declaring before the fixture a chairman reffing is also very strange, especially in a league decider. I’ve always declared when reffing. My friend would’ve never known if I didn’t google the club as a spectator during the fixture.