Canberra referee Ben Williams has retaliated to media commentary of his controversial officiating at the Asian Cup, calling it "ill-informed" and questioning the relevance of some former players in the broadcasting box.

The Asian Football Confederation referee of the year in 2013 and the first Australian to officiate in the second round of a World Cup, in Brazil last year, Williams hit back at knockers who have accused him of being trigger-happy with yellow and red cards.

Controversial referee Ben Williams has hit back. Credit:Mark Nolan

Former Socceroos and now commentators John Aloisi, Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater criticised Williams' handling of the Asian Cup quarter-final between Iran and Iraq at Canberra Stadium, where the whistleblower issued nine yellow cards and a controversial red-card to Iran's Mehrdad Pooladi.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, fined for criticising Williams in the earlier rounds of the Asian Cup, then asked how the referee could sleep at night after Iran's 7-6 loss on penalties.