ECB policy requires all umpires to retire when they reach this age, in order to allow younger umpires to gain employment. Sharp and fellow Northamptonshire team-mate and umpire Peter Willey challenged this decision at an employment tribunal, alleging age discrimination on the part of the ECB, but lost their case.
ECB policy mandates that all umpires retire at this age to make way for younger candidates. Peter Willey, along with his Northamptonshire teammate Sharp, contested the ECB's decision in an employment tribunal, claiming age discrimination by the ECB, but they were unsuccessful in their case.