In 2024/25 Premier League The season was dominated by Liverpool’s brilliant start under Arne Slott, Manchester United’s steady decline, Nottingham Forest’s improbable Champions League bid and controversial refereeing decisions.
The latter is often the main topic of conversation on Saturday night, let alone Monday morning. William Saliba’s controversial penalty against Brighton saw referees again under the spotlight last weekend, while Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall was at the center of controversy in the EFL Cup when he perhaps should have walked before his late winner against Liverpool.
Here, FootballFanCast looks at 11 of the most controversial refereeing decisions of the current Premier League campaign and why they have angered players, managers and fans alike.
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11
Declan Rice second yellow card against Brighton
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Declan Rice was sent off during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton in August after picking up a second yellow card for tripping Joel Veltman as he prepared to take a free-kick.
Although the decision was legally correct, it angered many Arsenal fans and continues to do so because others similar incidents have gone unpunished ever since.
Even referee Chris Kavanagh, who showed Rice a red, said it was him “I didn’t like” the decision, but “he had no choice”.
10
Pedro Neto claims a penalty against Crystal Palace
Referee: Tim Robinson
Chelsea were leading 1-0 against Crystal Palace when Pedro Neto and Tyrick Mitchell ran onto a loose ball inside the Palace penalty area.
Neto beat Mitchell to the ball, nudging it with his toe, as Mitchell missed it, instead connecting with Neto’s legs and sending him to the ground.
Match official Tim Robinson judged Mitchell to have won the ball fairly, as did VAR. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher later told Sky Sports would have pointed to that place.
9
Ait-Nouri handball request against Nottingham Forest
Referee: Peter Bankes
Spectators were left baffled as to why Rayan Ait-Nouri was not penalized for what appeared to be a blatant handball during Wolves’ 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Referee Peter Bankes waved away appeals for a penalty after Ola Aina’s cross hit the arm of Ait-Nouri. VAR checked the incident and agreed with the decision on the field.
After the game, a tweet from the Premier League Match Center account revealed that Ait-Nouri escaped punishment because his hand was deemed to be in a natural position when the ball struck it. An interesting call to say the least.
8
Jhon Duran reds against Newcastle
Newcastle United 3-0 Aston Villa, December 26
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran was sent off after he was deemed to have deliberately stepped on Magpies defender Fabian Schar during Villa’s 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
While some, including the video below, agreed it was right that the Colombian was sent off, others, including former Villa star Dean Saunders, were outraged.
– There was no intention! raged Saunders on TalkSPORT. “If you’re watching, Duran is trying to get the ball past Schar.”
Duran reacted angrily to his sending off at the time, kicking a water bottle as he left the pitch and had to be restrained by a member of Villa’s backroom staff. He was later charged with misconduct by the FA.
7
Ebere Eze cancels a goal against Brentford
Referee: Sam Barrott
Crystal Palace midfielder Ebere Eze was controversially disallowed for a brilliant free-kick in the Eagles’ 2-1 defeat by Brentford in August.
Eze scored directly from a goalless free-kick, but referee Sam Barrott blew the whistle before the ball crossed the line for a foul by Palace’s Will Hughes.
Due to the early whistle, VAR was unable to review Hughes’ alleged foul or Eze’s goal.
Eze later claimed to be Barrott admitted he was wrong to disallow his goal, telling BBC Match of the Day: “I was told [by the referee] that he blew too soon and made a mistake. It could have changed the game, but we have to deal with it.”
6
Issa Diop foul against Liverpool
Referee: Tony Harrington
Liverpool fans were left baffled when Fulham defender Issa Diop was not shown a red card during the Reds’ 2-2 draw with the Cottagers in mid-December.
As he challenged Andy Robertson for a rebound, the French defender missed the ball and instead sank his nails into the Scot’s knees, leaving him writhing in pain on the floor. Diop was only shown a yellow card by referee Tony Harrington, and VAR decided not to overturn the original call.
To add insult to injury, Robertson was later sent off for a challenge on Harry Wilson.
5
Leandro Trossard second yellow card against Man City
Referee: Michael Oliver
A few weeks after Declan Rice’s sending-off against Brighton, Leandro Trossard left his Gunners team-mates in a similar predicament after receiving a second booking, which also came for delaying the restart after a foul.
Leading 2-1 against champions Manchester City moments before half-time, the Belgian ran into Bernardo Silva and referee Michael Oliver awarded a free-kick for the home side.
Trossard appeared to clear the ball after the whistle, which Oliver saw as an attempt to delay play despite Silva being prone at the time, with the winger protesting his innocence as he may have wanted to free Gabriel Martinelli.
It was certainly on the smaller side as far as red cards go, and made all the more excruciating for Arsenal with that in mind Mateo Kovačić avoided the same punishment for a couple of more outrageous fouls in the previous meeting (under Oliver) – even before they were leveled late on.
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4
Matthijs de Ligt foul against West Ham
Referee: David Coote
In what turned out to be Erik ten Hag’s last game in charge of Manchester United, the Red Devils were level with West Ham at one goal apiece when United defender Matthijs de Ligt conceded a late penalty.
Referee David Coote initially disallowed the spot-kick, but it was overturned by VAR official Michael Oliver, who ruled De Ligt had fouled Hammers striker Danny Ings.
Jarrod Bowen stepped up and scored, sealing the win for West Ham. Ten Hag was fired less than 24 hours later.
Former Premier League referee Howard Webb, who is head of refereeing body PGMOL, told the Premier League’s Match Officials Mic’d Up that he thought the penalty decision was wrong.
“I think this is a situation where we would leave the decision on the field as it is, probably whatever it’s called. All in all, I don’t think it’s a penalty,” he said.
We doubt United fans could be grateful to be given that.
3
William Saliba foul against Brighton
Referee: Anthony Taylor
“I have never seen a decision like this in my career” – said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after his team conceded a penalty against Brighton.
With Arsenal leading 1-0 thanks to Ethan Nwaneri’s strike, Joao Pedro fell to the ground after a clash of heads with Saliba as the two battled for the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded the penalty and VAR saw no reason to overturn his original call.
However, other angles of the incident appear to show Saliba touching the ball before tackling the Brazilian, angering Arteta, whose side ended up dropping two points for the decision.
2
Pervis Estupinan challenge against West Ham
Referee: Rob Jones
Late in West Ham’s recent draw with Brighton, Hammers defender Maximilian Kilman pushed the ball into the middle only to be met by a flying Pervis Estupinan, who looked like he had left the floor with both feet, hitting Kilman with his nails up.
Referee Rob Jones was booked immediately but was then checked by VAR official Paul Tierney. His decision? Somehow, without a red card.
1
Joao Pedro elbowed against Brentford
Referee: Andy Madley
Brighton’s draw with Brentford at the end of December may have lacked goals, but it produced the most controversial refereeing decision of the season so far, again involving Brighton and Joao Pedro.
Late in the game, Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk prevented a Brighton run by pulling Pedro by the shirt. The Brazilian retaliated by swinging his right elbow in the direction of the midfielder, but luckily he missed.
Yarmoliuk was booked by Andy Madley for his indiscretion, but the referee was then told by VAR Chris Kavanagh to stop play as Joao Pedro fought back. Despite repeated footage clearly showing he attempted to elbow Yarmoliuk, it was deemed not worthy of a red card.
Had Pedro linked up with Yarmolyuk, the consequences could have been dire, just like the decision to let him on the field.
