By: Shreyas Balu
“People don’t expect a striker to score every time they shoot, but for us every decision needs to be correct,” argues Premier League referee, Darren England,[1] during his interview in 2023. Very few professionals face the same scrutiny as referees, with fans, football teams, and managers taking aim at them at every opportunity possible after the final whistle. There is no doubt English referees face scrutiny after every game week, but have regular inconsistencies in referring decisions affected the integrity of English Football?
The term popularly referred by the acronym of PGMOL, known as Professional Game Match Official Limited, resonates with every English football fan and manager.[2] Formed in 2001, this organization aims to improve the standard of referring in English Football.[3] The onset of the organization has brought major developments in the game, such as virtual assistant referee (VAR) and training programs for upcoming referees.[4] However, in recent years it has brought more controversies outweighing their positive contributions to the game.
In a recent game that took place between Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City on 22nd September 2024, Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw against the champions, even though they played most of the second half with 10 men on field.[5] A controversial call sent off winger, Leandro Trossard, seconds before halftime against City. The sendoff came as a result of Trossard delaying a game restart.[6] The uproar from fans and the manager isn’t just about the sending off. Instead, it stems from the inconsistency in how the referee, Michael Oliver, ruled a similar incident involving City winger Jeremy Doku, who delayed the restart of the game but wasn’t booked.[7] To rub more salt in the Gunners’[8] wound, Michael Oliver, in a similar clash between Arsenal and City in 2023, refused to brandish a card against Mateo Kovacic for a harsh tackle.[9] After the game, Howard Webb, the head of PGMOL, admitted to Michael Oliver’s errors.[10] However, it was too late since the refs blew the final whistle and the decision could not be overturned.
In October 2023, UK news organization, the Independent, published a comprehensive list of apologies issued by the PGMOL[11] for inaccurate decisions made since the introduction of VAR technology in 2019. Upon analysis, it is evident that over the past five years, the lack of transparency and expertise from the referees operating these technologies have cost teams from acquiring much needed points to win the title or battle the threat of relegation to lower leagues. However, the cornerstone of the issue with PGMOL and English refereeing does not end with controversial decisions, but with a vicious effort to silence anyone who speaks against the evident incompetence. Countless mangers such as Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, Jose Mourinho have effortlessly tried pointing out inconsistent decisions among English referees,[12] but have been supressed by the PGMOL with the threat of immense fines and suspension from games[13]. Over the years, the Referee Association has created an autocracy with no space for the stakeholders of the game to have their say or point out any evident flaws in the system.
In theory, VAR and other technologies brought in by PGMOL and the Premier League, although denigrated by fans and most players, acts as a safety net for referees to make more accurate decisions and preserve the integrity of the game. The PGMOL can offer and improve the fan experience and fairness in this beautiful game with greater transparency with on field communication by the referees and better accountability of obvious on field errors and consistent decisions making. It’s time fans finally shift their energy toward celebrating their team’s brilliance on the field, rather than getting consumed by controversial or unfair referee decisions.
[1] Grey Whitebloom, PGMOL: Everything you need to know about the referee group, 90min (Nov. 7, 2023), https://www.90min.com/posts/pgmol-everything-you-need-to-know-referee-group (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[2] James O’Reilly, What is the PGMOL (Explained), GiveMeSport (Nov. 16, 2024), https://www.givemesport.com/what-is-the-pgmol-explained-referees/#:~:text=David%20Coote%27s%20investigation%20after%20a%20controversial%20video%20was,aspects%2C%20including%20the%20use%20and%20training%20of%20VAR (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[3] Premier League, PGMOL, Premier League, https://www.premierleague.com/referees/pgmol (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[4] Chris Nee, Who Are the PGMOL?, FourFourTwo (Jan. 27, 2025), https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/who-are-the-pgmol. (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[5] Match Report: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal, ESPN (Sept. 22, 2024), https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/704325 (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[6] Sam Blitz, Leandro Trossard Red Card: Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Furious with Referee Michael Oliver’s Decision vs Man City, Sky Sports (Sept. 22, 2024), https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/13220274/leandro-trossard-red-card-arsenal-boss-mikel-arteta-furious-with-referee-michael-olivers-decision-vs-man-city (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[7] Id.
[8] The term “Gunners” refers to Arsenal’s fanbase, a nickname derived from the club’s historical association with the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, London. It is widely used by supporters and has become an integral part of the club’s identity. Arsenal FC, Arsenal, https://www.arsenal.com (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[9] Ref Watch: Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic Was Very Lucky Not to Receive a Red Card Against Arsenal, Says Dermot Gallagher, Sky Sports (Oct. 10, 2023), https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12980964/ref-watch-manchester-citys-mateo-kovacic-was-very-lucky-not-to-receive-a-red-card-against-arsenal-says-dermot-gallagher. (last visited: Feb. 2, 2025).
[10] Sean Kearns, Howard Webb Admits Mistake in Mateo Kovacic’s Tackle on Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, The Mirror (Oct. 9, 2023), https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/howard-webb-mateo-kovacic-arsenal-31156602. (last visited: Feb. 3, 2025).
[11] Jamie Braidwood, Every VAR apology so far: From Liverpool offside to Man City handball, The Independent (Oct. 2, 2023), https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league-var-liverpool-apology-diaz-offside-b2422223.html. (last visited: Feb. 3, 2025).
[12] Harry Edwards, For or against? What every Premier League manager thinks about VAR, Football Features (Nov. 29, 2023), https://www.squawka.com/en/features/premier-league-managers-var-opinion. (last visited: Feb. 3, 2025).
[13] Jamie Spencer, 5 Premier League Managers Who Were Banned Like Jurgen Klopp for Referee Comments, 90min (Oct. 23, 2023), https://www.90min.com/posts/5-premier-league-managers-banned-like-jurgen-klopp-referee-comments. (last visited: Feb. 3, 2025).
