Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi has joined the list of managers with a disdain for Premier League referees. In a season full of controversy and poor decisions from officials, coaches in the English top flight are voicing their disapproval of referees. Following Brighton's 1-1 draw against lowly Sheffield United, de Zerbi said […]

Anthony Taylor is making a quick return to the Premier League after demotion just last week. The English referee was previously dropped from the English top flight due to a widely criticized call during a matchup between Newcastle and Wolves. Taylor awarded the Magpies a controversial penalty just before the halftime break. The official decided […]

In light of the recent VAR dispute involving Luis Diaz's disallowed goal for Liverpool, one concern has arisen. The question on everyone's mind is why the Premier League doesn't use the semi-automated offside technology. Liverpool and Tottenham produced drama when referees wrongfully disallowed Luis Diaz's first-half goal. Unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp’s side, they ended up […]

After receiving backlash for mistakenly ruling Luis Diaz's goal for Liverpool as offside against Tottenham, the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) has apologized. Seeing another injustice in the Premier League, which has become practically routine in England's top flight, did not make for an easy weekend for Liverpool supporters. Having been reduced to nine […]

High salaries in the Saudi Pro League may entice referees from the English Premier League. They may follow in the footsteps of some of those notable players who jumped to the Middle East this summer. The Saudi Pro League signed high-profile players during the most recent transfer window. That helped bring international attention to the […]

Talks have taken place between the Premier League and the leading UK broadcasters about a new documentary on the life of the league’s referees. According to a recent story, an independent production firm approached the three domestic rights holders about airing the show. The Daily Mail reports that discussions about the possibility have already taken […]

Significant Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions will reportedly be explained on a microphone during the upcoming Women's World Cup. Sources at ESPN claim that FIFA has made the move to help fans better understand major decisions. This includes both the fans inside the stadium, as well as those watching along on TV at home. The […]

FIFA's semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will not be coming to the Premier League anytime soon. The English top flight has reportedly rejected the chance to introduce the technology ahead of the 2023/24 season. This is despite the fact that a series of VAR-rated blunders plagued the league in recent years. The technology quickly tracks players' […]

The audio between on-field referees and VAR officials in the Premier League is now available. As the officials deliberate potential penalties and red cards, they discuss the minute details of what may or may not be an infraction. Match Officials Mic'd Up is a Premier League show that goes into these conversations. PGMOL Chief Refereeing […]

While I do not always agree with UEFA President Michel Platini, like his proposals for wage caps and vendetta against the big-spending Premier League, the Frenchman has been spot on in implementing more referee assistants on the pitch. Platini was massive in introducing extra assistants to aid the referee in last season's Europa League competition. […]

I appeared on a CBC TV news program in Canada Monday night and was asked to defend the theatrics of soccer. The diving and the cheating that are so woven into the fabric of soccer and are most evident to the public when the World Cup takes center stage every four years. To be fair, […]

I hate to be "that guy." I really do but the British media's constant efforts to chalk Chelsea's EPL campaign as the result of favor from match officials is bordering on insulting. Chelsea's last three victories came against Manchester United, Bolton and Stoke City and in all three the Blues have come under critcism for […]

"Giggs looking to pick out Rooney... who's got there, is that a penalty kick?! What does Mike Dean say?! He says penalty!" This whole routine is getting a little old, isn't it? Screw diamonds, refereeing mistakes are forever. It's like the referees all convene and decide whose turn it is to make mistake and forbid […]

Without a lot of herald or press coverage, UEFA announced at the start of the week that there will be five referees on the pitch for all Europa League matches next season. An additional pair of eyes will be stationed behind each goal, focusing on incidents in and around the penalty area. I'm 100% behind […]

The criticism directed at referees and their assistants these days is becoming more of a talking point than many games themselves. Howard Webb made an incorrect judgement and awarded Manchester United a penalty against Tottenham last week, a decision that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp clearly felt changed the game. Now there is some truth in this, it […]