Richmond, 43, a category one referee since 2000, has quit after after being overlooked for Clydesdale Bank Premier League games for much of this season, for which he blamed "people within a position of power at the SFA". However, Winter has denied cronyism is rife in the SFA's refereeing department.
He told Press Association Sport: "There are a lot of good young referees coming through and if they are good enough they will get the chance. It is not a case of 'sooking up'."
Winter, who will retire early at the end of the season due to a long-term knee problem, added: "It is hard to become a grade one referee, but it is harder to stay there.
"Young referees will go on the same learning curve as all the referees have done, including Charlie and myself. And if they show ability and work hard then they will get their chance.
"You need to put the shift in and that also means fulfilling the role of the grade one referee. You have to be a role model for younger referees. You have to promote yourself in your local referees' association, you have to attend 70% of the training sessions and attend monthly meetings.
"I don't know if Charlie didn't get the games latterly because he didn't do that, but I don't think it is a case of sucking up to the right people. It is a case of working hard and listening to good advice and I'm sure Charlie did that.
"I get on well with Charlie, he was fourth official to me at a recent game and I sensed that he was unhappy then. But Charlie is an excellent referee, he devoted a lot of time to refereeing and should be commended for that. It is unfortunate because the game needs guys like him, he had so much to offer and now that is lost."
Winter had to be talked out of resigning two years ago by Hugh Dallas (former head of referee development at the SFA) after his infamous blunder at Tannadice when he failed to send off St Johnstone defender Steven Anderson, despite booking him twice in the space of 12 minutes in a game against Dundee United.
He was subsequently sidelined for four months but has no qualms about his punishment, and he said: "There are ups and downs on the referees' rollercoaster and you have to accept that."
Source: PA
Source: PA