+1
Totally agree.
But to elevate this to the level of bias is, IMO, unwarranted - to assume bias, is to accuse the ref of cheating, which is hugely problematic - and I don't think that bias was involved at all.
The ref didn't want to give an early penalty - so no card for Digne - IMO a huge mistake, but I can see this.
Booking Sterling was, IMO, a huge, huge mistake. But people make mistakes. I think it was a penalty. But maybe not clear cut in real time from the ref's angle. To card Sterling for diving though is really harsh - yeah, Sterling exaggerated the foul a bit by going down... but there was contact - at worst, a non-call, but even that would have been a bit harsh.
Still, refs are human and make mistakes - I don't think that the ref was incompetent - nor do I think he was biased/cheating. I do think he, and his supporting crew, had a really bad night.