Premier League Ref Watch: Controversial Calls Analyzed by Krikya Experts

The Premier League never fails to deliver drama, and this weekend’s fixtures were no exception. From contentious red cards to penalty disputes, our team at Krikya breaks down the key decisions that shaped outcomes across multiple matches. Former referee Dermot Gallagher provides expert insight alongside our panel of analysts.

Manchester City and Arsenal’s Tactical Standoff

The Etihad Stadium hosted a title race thriller that ended 2-2, but the talking points extended far beyond the scoreline.

Trossard’s Controversial Dismissal

Leandro Trossard received his marching orders in the second half for allegedly delaying the restart by kicking the ball away after a foul was called. The decision appeared harsh to many observers, especially since Jeremy Doku had escaped punishment for a similar incident earlier in the match.

Dermot Gallagher explained the reasoning: “The referees have been very clear about their stance on delaying restarts this season. While it might seem inconsistent when one player gets away with it, that doesn’t justify another player committing the same offense.”

Our Krikya analysis shows that the time between the whistle and Trossard’s kick was approximately 0.84 seconds, raising questions about whether this constituted deliberate time-wasting.

Haaland’s Playful Provocation

Erling Haaland created a flashpoint when he threw the ball against the back of Gabriel’s head following City’s equalizer, sparking a confrontation between multiple players. Surprisingly, the Norwegian striker escaped punishment.

Gallagher noted: “He’s running the risk of escalating tensions in an already heated match. Tempers were running high throughout what was a tremendously difficult game to officiate.”

The FA confirmed no retrospective action would be taken against either club, as the incident was reviewed by VAR during the match and deemed not worthy of a red card.

Set-Piece Controversies

Manchester City expressed frustration with both Arsenal goals. For the equalizer, City felt the free-kick wasn’t taken from the correct spot and that Kyle Walker wasn’t afforded sufficient time to reorganize the defensive line.

Regarding Arsenal’s second goal from a corner, City claimed goalkeeper Ederson had been blocked. Gallagher defended the decision: “Martinelli simply stood his ground, which he’s entitled to do. This happened several times throughout the match without intervention.”

Brighton and Forest’s Card-Filled Encounter

The Amex Stadium witnessed a dramatic 2-2 draw that featured multiple disciplinary actions, including two red cards.

Gibbs-White’s Contentious Second Yellow

Morgan Gibbs-White received his second yellow card for a challenge on Joao Pedro, a decision that infuriated Nottingham Forest. The initial referee view suggested a clean tackle, but the fourth official provided a different angle that changed the outcome.

Gallagher explained the process: “The fourth official is an integral part of the officiating team. While the referee ultimately makes the decision, he’s entitled to receive and consider input from his colleagues.”

Nottingham Forest can expect an FA fine after receiving six cards total (four yellow, two red), exceeding the threshold for automatic sanctions.

Penalty Decision Analysis

Forest were awarded a first-half penalty when Callum Hudson-Odoi went down under challenge. Gallagher supported the decision: “He positioned himself cleverly between defender and ball. When a defender makes a challenge in that situation, he must win the ball cleanly or risk conceding a penalty.”

West Ham’s Penalty Appeal Denied

At London Stadium, West Ham felt aggrieved when Wesley Fofana’s lengthy hold on Crysencio Summerville went unpunished. VAR supported the on-field decision of no penalty, citing “no sustained contact.”

Gallagher expressed his view: “I believe it was a penalty. The holding started outside the area but continued well into the box. The duration of the contact made it a clear foul in my opinion.”

This incident highlights the ongoing debate about VAR’s “high threshold” for intervention, where clear errors may not be corrected if they don’t meet the “clear and obvious” standard.

Championship Biting Allegation

The Preston vs Blackburn derby featured a serious allegation that Milutin Osmajic bit Owen Beck during a confrontation. Beck received a yellow card for his reaction, but the FA is investigating the biting claim separately.

Gallagher clarified the process: “The match officials can only punish what they see. Since they didn’t witness an actual bite, they could only sanction the aggressive behavior. The FA will review all available evidence, including photographic documentation of any marks.”

Historical precedent suggests a lengthy ban if proven—Luis Suárez received an 8-match suspension for a similar incident in 2013.

Manchester United’s Narrow Escape

Lisandro Martinez avoided a red card for a two-footed challenge on Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, with Palace manager Oliver Glasner claiming the defender “could have broken Kamada’s leg.”

Gallagher analyzed: “What saved him from dismissal was the lack of contact with the player. He made contact with the ball rather than the opponent, which likely influenced the decision.”

Our Krikya experts noted that while the intent appeared dangerous, the outcome ultimately spared Martinez from receiving his marching orders.

Goalkeeper Handling Controversy

In Tottenham’s 3-1 victory over Brentford, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario handled the ball outside his area but escaped punishment. VAR did not intervene, prompting questions about the decision-making process.

Gallagher explained: “For VAR to intervene, the offense must constitute denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. In this case, the attacking player wasn’t in full control of the ball, and multiple defenders were tracking back, so it didn’t meet the threshold for a red card.”

Krikya Ref Watch Verdict

This weekend’s Premier League action demonstrated the fine margins that separate acceptable challenges from punishable offenses. While consistency remains a concern for players, managers, and fans alike, the officiating team’s difficult task becomes clearer when experts like Dermot Gallagher break down the decision-making process.

What were your thoughts on this weekend’s controversial decisions? Do you agree with our analysis? Share your opinions in the comments below and follow Krikya for more expert breakdowns of Premier League officiating.