FSU AD opposes neutral conference officials.(The Orlando Sentinel)

Byline: Josh Robbins

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ Florida State Athletic Director Dave Hart said Monday that he does not support having a neutral conference supply the officiating crew for the annual Florida-FSU football game.

"It is unreasonable to expect any other conference ... to send an officiating crew to call a Florida State-Florida game when they have their own games going on, and their best crews will be assigned to their games," Hart told an audience at the weekly Seminole Boosters luncheon on the FSU campus.

Hart said using a neutral-conference officiating crew would send a bad message to Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference officials.

As stipulated in the football contract between the schools, the conference of the visiting team provides the officials.

That long-standing practice became an issue Saturday, when an ACC officiating crew ruled in favor of Florida State on five or six close calls. The Seminoles won 38-34, and Gators fans and players remain irate over the result.

On Sunday, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said he would look into having a neutral-conference crew officiate the games in the future. The current contract expires after next year's game, and Hart said he would be willing to discuss the issue further with Foley in the future.