Referees' Performances | 2025/26

Sofiablu said:
In my opinion, there’s no corruption but there is bias. Mainly unconscious bias at that.
If you’re an official and you keep being told that despite City being great, the reason they’re great is due to cheating and you’re hearing this every time City are mentioned. Win, lose or draw.
As well as that, you’ve been brought up hearing how wonderful the redshirts are and how their history defines all that’s good about football. The press, of course, constantly reinforces this.
Maybe, just maybe, when there’s a debatable decision to be made, you err on the side of those history clubs and err against the oil money, no history, empty seat, 115 times cheats. Not my words to be clear where I stand, but the way it’s portrayed.
That’s my opinion about how all these, little and big, decisions can go the way they do.
Click to expand...
I can name numerous just this season but 3 that have always concerned me :-
1 Llorente CL quater final when the ref wasnt shown the definive angle on the handball, even Wio agreed and we were in the middle of the UEFA case.
2
Rashford/Ratface goal at the swamp which was probably the most ridiculous decision ive seen in 50 years watching football.
3
Henderson handball outside the area at Wembley which was debated as Haaland running away from goal, true but the LOTG were not applied and possibly last nights game would not have happened.

How many times have we seen them spend ages on a clear and obvios criteria where Haalands offside at Newcastle was one.
I accept all fans think their team is hard done to but when I can see clearly Guimaries right boot is far nearer to the six yard line than any part of Rubens frame jumping or stood still I am convinced the game is being manipulated by 3 men in a room 200 miles away.
Its incredible what weve won in the Pep era with these shenanigans going on in front of us.
 
pauls said:
I can name numerous just this season but 3 that have always concerned me :-
1 Llorente CL quater final when the ref wasnt shown the definive angle on the handball, even Wio agreed and we were in the middle of the UEFA case.
2
Rashford/Ratface goal at the swamp which was probably the most ridiculous decision ive seen in 50 years watching football.
3
Henderson handball outside the area at Wembley which was debated as Haaland running away from goal, true but the LOTG were not applied and possibly last nights game would not have happened.

How many times have we seen them spend ages on a clear and obvios criteria where Haalands offside at Newcastle was one.
I accept all fans think their team is hard done to but when I can see clearly Guimaries right boot is far nearer to the six yard line than any part of Rubens frame jumping or stood still I am convinced the game is being manipulated by 3 men in a room 200 miles away.
Its incredible what weve won in the Pep era with these shenanigans going on in front of us.
Click to expand...
Until it was trumped by the Mbeumo handball?
 
I should just accept The Professional Game Match Officials Limited for what they are.

They put game management over the laws of the game to enhance the 'brand'

Deliberate decisions or 'interpretations' to manufacturer the best outcome for the product.

I predict the rags will win the league next year based on this theory.

"The biggest brand" in the PL and their redemption as champions managed by a former player of GPC is marketing gold.
 
Arsenal aren't going to know what's hit them next season when the Premier League doesn't need a new name on the trophy. Only concern is if the rags make a good start next season (watch for their opening 5 or 6 games when the fixtures come out).

www.bbc.co.uk

Every VAR error in 2025-26 Premier League: How Arsenal escaped red cards and penalties

Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of video assistant referee and on-field errors this season.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
Bluemoon dan said:
Arsenal aren't going to know what's hit them next season when the Premier League doesn't need a new name on the trophy. Only concern is if the rags make a good start next season (watch for their opening 5 or 6 games when the fixtures come out).

www.bbc.co.uk

Every VAR error in 2025-26 Premier League: How Arsenal escaped red cards and penalties

Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of video assistant referee and on-field errors this season.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
I struggle to believe they only had 3 errors in their favour.

They clearly had more but it’s only ones they own up to.
Ignores things like when Gabrielle should have been sent off for head butting Haaland.
 
TinFoilHat said:
I should just accept The Professional Game Match Officials Limited for what they are.

They put game management over the laws of the game to enhance the 'brand'

Deliberate decisions or 'interpretations' to manufacturer the best outcome for the product.

I predict the rags will win the league next year based on this theory.

"The biggest brand" in the PL and their redemption as champions managed by a former player of GPC is marketing gold.
Click to expand...

I fear you may be right. Two things may stop it. Carrick's bounce won't last. And City will be stronger. But, once again, if we want to win the league we will have to win more games by beating the officials' "game management" as well. It will be tough.
 
TinFoilHat said:
I should just accept The Professional Game Match Officials Limited for what they are.

They put game management over the laws of the game to enhance the 'brand'

Deliberate decisions or 'interpretations' to manufacturer the best outcome for the product.

I predict the rags will win the league next year based on this theory.

"The biggest brand" in the PL and their redemption as champions managed by a former player of GPC is marketing gold.
Click to expand...
I’ve said this since the Mbuemo handball. That was just a taster of the VAR ‘interpretations’ they will get next season. Different winner every year and VAR allows them to manage this.
 
Bluemoon dan said:
Arsenal aren't going to know what's hit them next season when the Premier League doesn't need a new name on the trophy. Only concern is if the rags make a good start next season (watch for their opening 5 or 6 games when the fixtures come out).

www.bbc.co.uk

Every VAR error in 2025-26 Premier League: How Arsenal escaped red cards and penalties

Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of video assistant referee and on-field errors this season.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
They wouldn't want a 'new' name such as Leeds or Bournemouth. They much prefer an 'old' name who scamper about the pitch clad in various shades of scarlet.
 
Bluesince1979 said:
How much would a ref be paid for selling his story exposing absolute corruption and result manipulation in the premier league, one of the richest sporting competitions in the world?
No idea what pensions retired refs are on, but i would imagine its not a massive pot.

The story would be worth millions

Fair enough, your thinking isnt as crazy as “gets interest free loans” are whatever the fella said, but its still a million miles away from convincing me there is some high level corruption to stop us winning cups
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I thought they signed an NDA when they retire in return for a bonus payment
 
richardtheref said:
I don't think they sign any such thing. I have read about 10 books from ex refs
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It’s well known, mate, and has been published in many of the mainstream media. They don’t have to sign as they are free to do what they want, but part of the financial package they receive seems to be very lucrative, where they can’t talk about ‘certain’ things.
 
The Future’s Blue! said:
The more pertinent question is ‘Why would you need one’ if you are just doing your job as a referee, what do they need to keep confidential?

I think it was Mark Halsey who let that little cat out of bag, as he didn’t sign one.
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Mark Halsey was diagnosed with a terminal illness so decided to tell all
The media pretty much ignored/buried what he had to say, which included him being told to alter his match reports
 
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