Referee Watch 2026/27 (10 Viewers)

[Les Beeavinu]

Genuine question as I don't know the answer, other than offside, has VAR overturned a decision this season?

 

[Untouchable]

Genuine question as I don't know the answer, other than offside, has VAR overturned a decision this season?

The Forest handball decision against Spurs last week was given as a goal and ruled out by VAR.

 

[JANORAK]

See Bournemouth under Iraola.

Or Charlton, I recall. (I’m not one to bear a grudge for long..)
I can still see it. More players on the ground in the box, than standing up!

 

[longtimeagobee]

Ho, Ho, Ho

Referees body admits error of judgement over Erling Haaland derby winner

The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref admits an error of judgement in awarding Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Untouchable]

Ho, Ho, Ho

Referees body admits error of judgement over Erling Haaland derby winner

The Premier League refereeing body Pro Ref admits an error of judgement in awarding Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby.

www.bbc.co.uk

The ProRef statement:

"It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective.

"However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

"Contact has been made with Manchester Unitedthis evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."

What happens next is the VAR (Matt Donohue) is stood down from next weekends matches and is then selected for appointments after the international break. The quality of decision making will not improve.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Is it known for certain that the linesman flagged for Haarland offside and not Fernandez?

 

[Banana]

Is it known for certain that the linesman flagged for Haarland offside and not Fernandez?

It will be known for certain to at least one person. And my guess is that he would have told his mates

 

[SpiderBee]

Yes the City goal should not have stood but I'm glad it did just to annoy that absolute weasel Fernandes who kicked Fodin while on the floor.

 

[Banana]

Could be fun though. Arsenal might lose the league by one point. In which case I will celebrate this error with vigour.

 

[Oldboy TW8 0AW]

Is is time for an overhaul of VAR?
Too many Premier League referee's panel comments (post match) already this season concerning incorrect decisions
during games.

 

[longtimeagobee]

Could be fun though. Arsenal might lose the league by one point. In which case I will celebrate this error with vigour.

Even funnier would be us pipping Utd to Europe by one point

 

[Banana]

Even funnier would be us pipping Utd to Europe by one point

with an inferior goal difference of course.

 

[BURFORD BEE]

So on MOTD apparently the authorities have contacted Utd and acknowledged that VAR made a mistake.
Same ref same mistake although in our case the useless prat eventually got it right.
It's difficult though to feel any sympathy for a side that includes that cheating ratfink

 

[malkay]

 

[JANORAK]

Is is time for an overhaul of VAR?
Too many Premier League referee's panel comments (post match) already this season concerning incorrect decisions
during games.

Haha! Spend bundles on consultants, who’ll then come up with…. RAV.

 

[Banana]

You know something.

I'm 98% certain that I could do a better job than Howard Webb.

Just saying like.

 

[Themepark]

This sets a worrying precident, where any team under cosh could just have players go down after run of the mill headers in the box and get the ball back

It’s been the law ever since my second season as a referee. Six seasons later, I’ve never known a team to force me to stop the game for a fake injury to get the ball dropped back to the keeper.

 

[Themepark]

Right. And head injuries are such scenarios where play has to be stopped (as opposed to a leg injury). Which explains why the ball hitting Sunderland defender's face resulted in the ref handing the ball to their goalkeeper. But if I understand correctly, their defender should also have gone off the pitch for one minute.

I appreciate your responses. I'm not deliberately being obtuse. Genuinely don't know the rules!

I believe a free kick was (inexplicably) awarded which is why the defender stayed on.

Had play restarted with a drop ball, then the player should have left for 60 seconds.

 

[Themepark]

Is is time for an overhaul of VAR?
Too many Premier League referee's panel comments (post match) already this season concerning incorrect decisions during games.

What Premier League referee’s panel..?

From the two KMI panel results published so far, there’s been one ‘missed’ intervention with KMI panel deeming all other interventions/non-interventions correct.

It goes without saying it’s likely we’ll see a couple more pop up when the next set of results are published..

 

[Themepark]

That was exactly who i was thinking about.
All the player has to do is pop straight up after the ref blows his whistle and avoids leaving the pitch for a minute

They won’t avoid leaving the pitch. If play is stopped for a suspected injury, the player suspected of being injured goes off for 60.

If I stop the game and he pops back up immediately, hard cheese lad… off you pop now!

 

[Banana]

Thinking about it. This would otherwise be a complete collapse in confidence in refereeing and VAR in the football

One of the most critical fixtures every season and it was decided by a MISTAKE! A mistake acknowledged within a few hours

I ask again. WHY do the PL not have a "new york" solution?

It's f***ing embarassing.....twice over.

 

[Baubaul]

I see the wolf loses its fur but not its nature.

Was reading about the traditional post GW “Sorry” and I didn’t know who Pro Ref (hahaha) is

This season has been shocking, VAR doesn’t intervine when it should, refs are way worse than last season - I didn’t know that could even be achievable

 

[aawharris]

They won’t avoid leaving the pitch. If play is stopped for a suspected injury, the player suspected of being injured goes off for 60.

If I stop the game and he pops back up immediately, hard cheese lad… off you pop now!

I thought - in the Prem anyway - that they only have to go off if the physio comes on to "treat" them

 

[hanworthbee]

How can any ref or VAR not think Bruno walks away with nothing? Red them both or be sensible b-lock them both and yellow and get on with it.

Wasn't enough for a red card for me for fernandes

 

[hanworthbee]

There isn’t.

If play is stopped for any reason other than an offence (offside/foul) and the ball is in the area it’s a drop ball to Goalkeeper regardless of who was in possession/likely to be in possession.

Happended to us up at Liverpool last season near the end

 

[hanworthbee]

The ProRef statement:

"It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective.

"However, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

"Contact has been made with Manchester Unitedthis evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."

What happens next is the VAR (Matt Donohue) is stood down from next weekends matches and is then selected for appointments after the international break. The quality of decision making will not improve.

Took much longer for us to be told they got it wrong Vs Leeds

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Took much longer for us to be told they got it wrong Vs Leeds

ProRef haven't told us they got it wrong (or apologised), an independent panel ruled that they did. There is 1 ProRef rep on the KMI panel - they voted 4:1 that it was a mistake. No information on who the 1 was.

 

[Themepark]

I thought - in the Prem anyway - that they only have to go off if the physio comes on to "treat" them

As of this season's law change: if the ball is in play and the game is stopped for a potential injury, or treatment is called for (regardless of whether physio enters or not) the suspected player must leave the field of play for 60 seconds before play is restarted.

 

[badgerbee]

Lots of media discussion about the Foden sending off. Was it right? Should it have only been a Yellow? etc. etc.............
Don't recall the same level of scrutiny after Schade's almost identical 'offence' at Villa last season.............

 

[Brentford77]

As of this season's law change: if the ball is in play and the game is stopped for a potential injury, or treatment is called for (regardless of whether physio enters or not) the suspected player must leave the field of play for 60 seconds before play is restarted.

Might have some bearing on why in 5 semi pro games this season I am yet to have a physio come on!

 

[Themepark]

Happended to us up at Liverpool last season near the end

A player did not fake an injury purely to ensure play was stopped in the penalty area in order to ensure the ball went back to their keeper...

 

[Themepark]

Might have some bearing on why in 5 semi pro games this season I am yet to have a physio come on!

I've noticed there's less "REF HEAD. REF HEAD. REF HEAD" now than there was as that used to happen every single time a player was down on the floor for longer than 3 seconds while holding their ankle... almost like they know if we stop it for a clearly non-head injury they end up being disadvantaged..!

 

[Untouchable]

What happens next is the VAR (Matt Donohue) is stood down from next weekends matches and is then selected for appointments after the international break. The quality of decision making will not improve.

The painfully obvious outcome has happened.

Remember though, you don’t get stood down when Brentford are the club on the receiving end of your sh*tty error.


View: https://x.com/dalejohnsonbbc/status/2099519477352136918?s=46&t=SQP7mje7Pimu8X-ugPnQnQ

 

[Untouchable]

Just f*** off. We’ve got the clowns clown on Friday.

Expect nothing. Madley let Joao Pedro get away with swinging an elbow at Yarmo 2 seasons ago. I hate to see what he’s got planned for the sequel.

Brentford v Chelsea
Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Nick Hopton, Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Lewis Smith.
VAR: Jarred Gillett.
Assistant VAR: Edward Smart.

 

[Bizzy Bee]

Just f*** off. We’ve got the clowns clown on Friday.

Expect nothing. Madley let Joao Pedro get away with swinging an elbow at Yarmo 2 seasons ago. I hate to see what he’s got planned for the sequel.

Brentford v Chelsea
Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Nick Hopton, Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Lewis Smith.
VAR: Jarred Gillett.
Assistant VAR: Edward Smart.

And the Gillett from Saturday on VAR!

 

[londonlegal]

Given the ultimate call is a subjective one on that interfering of side, why was Michael Oliver not taken to the screen to look at it? That’s what happened in the Brentford Sunderland game when we were the beneficiaries of that call our referee had to go to the screen to determine that subjective call.

It’s obviously my ignorance but I don’t see the difference between being asked to rule whether or not player in the offside position is interfering with the goalkeeper’s line of vision has happened with us or whether Fernandez diving at the ball is interfering.

Separately being dropped the next week always feels like a fairly childish school type punishment. But I suppose everybody wants to see some sort of blood! I still think Howard Webb should be resigning for the state that he has allowed our football to get into with the way in which VAR has been applied for several seasons now.

 

[Untouchable]

Given the ultimate call is a subjective one on that interfering of side, why was Michael Oliver not taken to the screen to look at it? That’s what happened in the Brentford Sunderland game when we were the beneficiaries of that call our referee had to go to the screen to determine that subjective call.

It must be because the VAR had decided that Enzo was not offside and no subjective element needed determining. I’m not sure it can be explained any other way.

The VAR and AVAR have been stood down this weekend. Oliver hasn’t. ProRef must be satisfied Oliver played no part in the error.

Howard Webb should be resigning for the state that he has allowed our football to get into with the way in which VAR has been applied for several seasons now.

Agreed. There has been no meaningful improvement during his tenure. We’ve gone from debating bad refereeing decisions to debating bad VAR decisions. Time for him to go.

 

[Banana]

Separately being dropped the next week always feels like a fairly childish school type punishment.

I agree. It's not going to make them any better is it?

 

[Old B]

Release the tapes

 

[TeeJayBee]

I thought that retrospective punishment could be applied when something has been missed, or have I got that wrong?

It seems to me that Fernandes should have a suspension applied as if he had been sent off (which he should have been)

 

[Surrey Bee]

I can understand that the officials on the pitch making split second decisions in the heat of the moment will make mistakes, but I can’t comprehend how a team of VAR officials can spend several minutes watching numerous replays from different angles and still get it so obviously horrendously wrong. There is just as much controversy with VAR as there was before, so what is the point?
And why do the laws have to be chopped and changed every season, and made ever more complicated? Handball never used to be an issue, now it’s a total farce.

 

[BuzzBeeSi]

As of this season's law change: if the ball is in play and the game is stopped for a potential injury, or treatment is called for (regardless of whether physio enters or not) the suspected player must leave the field of play for 60 seconds before play is restarted.

Sorry Themepark but you can see why fans are confused.

In the Leeds game just now, Leeds player and Newcastle player go down injured. Newcastle player needed a physio, Leeds player didn't. Newcastle player was made to leave the pitch, Leeds player wasn't. Commentator said "they should know the rules now, if you need treatment then you need to go off".

I'm sure what's happened here is the ref actually stopped play only for Newcastle, not for Leeds. But I only know that because of you.

The commentator on sky sports was deriding players for not knowing a rule that he clearly doesn't know himself!

 

[Themepark]

Sorry Themepark but you can see why fans are confused.

In the Leeds game just now, Leeds player and Newcastle player go down injured. Newcastle player needed a physio, Leeds player didn't. Newcastle player was made to leave the pitch, Leeds player wasn't. Commentator said "they should know the rules now, if you need treatment then you need to go off".

I'm sure what's happened here is the ref actually stopped play only for Newcastle, not for Leeds. But I only know that because of you.

The commentator on sky sports was deriding players for not knowing a rule that he clearly doesn't know himself!

I absolutely can. Players are confused too. Managers are confused. Clubs are confused. But - it's been "if treatment comes on you go off" for a couple of seasons now... so the Newcastle player should know that still.

My club marks got smashed recently by a team who commented that I "failed" to do the countdowns when it wasn't their team taking a throw-in because they still think (despite explanations from the FA, the League, and Referees themselves) that the countdown is automatic and everyone has 10 seconds to take a throw nomatter what the context. The fact their team were walking to the ball and being ridiculously slow over each of them because the team they were beating had been battering them for the last 15 minutes - and were taking throw-ins so quickly I wouldn't have been able to start counting - matters not... not to mention there isn't a set time limit so where this 10 second lark came from is beyond me...

Law changes are so much fun...

 

[True Bee]

I can understand that the officials on the pitch making split second decisions in the heat of the moment will make mistakes, but I can’t comprehend how a team of VAR officials can spend several minutes watching numerous replays from different angles and still get it so obviously horrendously wrong. There is just as much controversy with VAR as there was before, so what is the point?
And why do the laws have to be chopped and changed every season, and made ever more complicated? Handball never used to be an issue, now it’s a total farce.

Because Sky have probably invested heavily financially into VAR, also it now gives the powers that be the opportunity to match fix games to keep title races etc alive !!!!! We all know there's top 6 rules and rules for the rest, it's making football farcical when it should be so simple

 

[Banana]

Because Sky have probably invested heavily financially into VAR, also it now gives the powers that be the opportunity to match fix games to keep title races etc alive !!!!! We all know there's top 6 rules and rules for the rest, it's making football farcical when it should be so simple

I do not understand the Sky control VAR theory. It's nuts.

 

[Old B]

Could we be blaming the lack of VAR tonight if the man in the middle makes an error or four!

 

[badgerbee]

Could we be blaming the lack of VAR tonight if the man in the middle makes an error or four!

So long as he continues doing what happens in all our other games, and is blatantly biased in favour of the "big club", no.

 

[KenCootesNephew]

VAR Watch 2026/27

Time for a change of thread title

 

[North London Bee]

Who is the ref tonight and Friday too?

 

[Untouchable]

Who is the ref tonight and Friday too?

Friday’s ref is the awful Andy Madley.

Tonight’s officials:
Reading v Brentford (20:00)
TOM NIELD
Sam Lewis and Hugh Gilroy
Fourth Official: Samuel Allison