Referees' Performances | 2025/26

[Norbiton]

Calvert Lewin goal disallowed for handball pretty much the same as the one City should have had yesterday

There are different rules for attackers and defenders when it comes to handball. Even so....

 

[Gordyola]

There are different rules for attackers and defenders when it comes to handball. Even so....

Yeah i appreciate that but the thought was yesterday that the defender didn’t make his body bigger as you so Even so..

 

[hertsblue]

Ref yesterday has reffed 2 Rags games this season, v Burnley and Spurs. 6 cards in each game, both games 5 cards to opposition and just 1 for Rags inc some iffy decisions in the Burnley game inc a 97th minute Rags penalty.
Burnley, 9 fouls each yet 5 cards fir Burnley to 1 Rags card 76th minute)
Spurs 10 fouls 5 cards, Rags 8 fouls 1 card ( 78th minute)

Then you see his one sided performance yesterday.
Dodgy as fuck when you see him card happy for anyone v the Rags yet blatant cheating re decisions and non bookings v us.

 

[bluemullet]

I have to admit I’ve not watched any ‘analysis’ at all but just wondered, has anyone heard anyone say they were pens? Or has the opinion been they were the correct calls?

 

[waspish]

FIFA use one which utilises the patented Adidas technology chip in the ball that determines the kick point
Not sure about UEFA’s
PL uses 30 cameras which the technology builds the images from and suggests a kick point thus can be manipulated

Exactly no wonder they warned there own

 

[Stockton Heath Blue]

Ignoring whether or not the ref should have been invited to view the monitor for the challenge on Foden, that gets pulled back for a late challenge anywhere else on the pitch.
So why not when it’s in the area and regardless of whether he’s got his shot away?

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

I have to admit I’ve not watched any ‘analysis’ at all but just wondered, has anyone heard anyone say they were pens? Or has the opinion been they were the correct calls?

There isn’t any because there are no client journalists/media types with City’s best interests at heart. The dippers, Rags and Arse gave them by the bucketful.
Hence the incredible over reaction to the ref and VAR actually making the correct call re Robertson.
The old ref Keith Hackett has said Fodens was a clear pen but other than biased bullshit, not heard anything.
The club or Pep should be speaking out

 

[Blue Abroad]

Really well put mate and I totally agree. In the first half I was asking what is the City allowance for fouling before refs give cards. It’s seemed apparent to me well before this game that there seems to be leeway for opposing teams, but yesterday seemed as obvious as ever. Since when does the fact that the player has played the ball allow a player to scythe him down as happened to Foden. It was as blatant a card and pen as you will see. Genuine question. Does anyone think the ridiculous scouse whining for the last 2 weeks had an effect on the reffing performance yesterday? I’m trying figure out why it was obviously biased. Were they looking to redress some perceived advantage?

I am trying to think of a reason other than wanting to do their level best to prevent us winning the league again, given Liverpool’s imploding title defence and the fact that Arsenal can’t be trusted to finish the challenge on their own.

I am really not one to go for conspiracy, but that officiating yesterday was just so demonstratively bad, with nearly every dubious decision advantaging Newcastle and endangering our players (which seems both a short- and long-term fix by the league), that it is difficult for me to put it down to incompetence.

I was chatting with a close mate that is also a blue and he brought up that CL SF between Chelsea and Barcelona match when Barca players were allowed to do whatever they wanted, including handling the ball multiple times, with the referee just completely ignoring vigorous remonstrations from Lampard and co.

Our match was obviously not of the same significance, but it had that similar “this is the desired result, so make it happen, no matter what you have to do” dynamic to it.

 

[malg]

Not sure about refs being bent I still think incompetence rules.

'Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence'

VAR is the biggest problem now. Absolutely changes how refs manage the game and not in a good way. As I've said before, I wanted it and thought it would be good, but it's been an unmitigated fucking disaster and it's not getting any better. Has absolutely ruined the game.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Not sure about refs being bent I still think incompetence rules.

'Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence'

VAR is the biggest problem now. Absolutely changes how refs manage the game and not in a good way. As I've said before, I wanted it and thought it would be good, but it's been an unmitigated fucking disaster and it's not getting any better. Has absolutely ruined the game.

Pawson is without doubt the worst official in the PL, And the refs in this country are the worst in Europe. I don’t believe there is a great conspiracy though there have always been some bent matches here and abroad. The non penalty on Phil yesterday was ridiculous. A studs up late full-blooded mistimed challenge. Why wasn’t the ref called to the screen?

 

[.db.]

Pawson is without doubt the worst official in the PL, And the refs in this country are the worst in Europe. I don’t believe there is a great conspiracy though there have always been some bent matches here and abroad. The non penalty on Phil yesterday was ridiculous. A studs up late full-blooded mistimed challenge. Why wasn’t the ref called to the screen?

I’d rather have our refs than the majority we get in the CL. Spanish refs are by far and away the worst.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Not sure about refs being bent I still think incompetence rules.

'Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence'

VAR is the biggest problem now. Absolutely changes how refs manage the game and not in a good way. As I've said before, I wanted it and thought it would be good, but it's been an unmitigated fucking disaster and it's not getting any better. Has absolutely ruined the game.

Nah.......it's bent.

Maybe not in the monetary sense, but certainly in the subjective bias sense.

 

[Gaz76]

Nah.......it's bent.

Maybe not in the monetary sense, but certainly in the subjective bias sense.

Does it have to bent, or can it not just be the standards are fucking shit

 

[pauls]

Nah.......it's bent.

Maybe not in the monetary sense, but certainly in the subjective bias sense.

The narrative that biased twats like Shearer spout is with the benefit of hindsight. Newcastle deserved it blah blah blah, could have gone either way but to get NONE of the subjective ones is bordering on corruption. Had the shoe been on the other foot I guarantee he would have said " goals change games" meanwhile PGMOL have happily stopped our momentum growing!

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Does it have to bent, or can it not just be the standards are fucking shit

Not in my opinion. Its not like we're not all aware of rules and things to look out for and check - So imagine if it was actually your full-time occupation with all the discussions and training.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

Without wanting to go like a typical Liverpool moaner, a late tackle is a late tackle, normally deserves a booking at least. Phil Foden might well have kicked the ball but he was fouled in the penalty area by a late tackle. Anywhere else on the pitch it would have been a yellow or maybe a red card, but because it was in the penalty are it was a goal kick. Can somebody explain this?

 

[Blue Mist]

Not sure about refs being bent I still think incompetence rules.

'Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence'

VAR is the biggest problem now. Absolutely changes how refs manage the game and not in a good way. As I've said before, I wanted it and thought it would be good, but it's been an unmitigated fucking disaster and it's not getting any better. Has absolutely ruined the game.

Incompetence can only be one person. A ref, linesman and two fellahs on Var cannot all, for the same incident be incompetent. (Fodens penalty)
If it is something else, other than bent, what is it ?
Fear ? 'If I give this penalty for City I will be slaughtered all week by the media.'
Complacency? Its only City, if I don't give it no one is going to kick off, they never do'

If it is either of them 2 it, in my book, is the same as being bent. You are not applying the Lotg fairly.
Bent does not have to be about money. Refs knew if they upset the gpc they wouldn't get the cup final. That is bent This us the same

 

[city2]

If it takes over 5mins to look at screen and still get it wrong then the referee has no chance , Var is causing more issues than it’s rectifying

 

[.db.]

Not in my opinion. Its not like we're not all aware of rules and things to look out for and check - So imagine if it was actually your full-time occupation with all the discussions and training.

From one week to another, there’s a different set of fans moaning about how it’s bent against them though. Everyone thinks it’s bent against them and everyone can provide examples to show why they think that because all clubs have things go against them and they concentrate on those decisions.

That suggests that most sets of fans are a bit conspiratorial and that really the standard of officiating and size of the talent pool of officials is poor across the board.

If the talent pool is small and poor quality, it will always be a struggle to get high standards.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

I’d rather have our refs than the majority we get in the CL. Spanish refs are by far and away the worst.

I don't agree with that. We have had a few shockers in the CL but I generally think the referees are much better than the PL Perhaps not some of the Spanish ones who have an issue with Catalonia though!