Referee Watch 2026/27

Referee Watch 2026/27

The issue with Thiago sending off was not with Oliver but VAR official. Oliver gave what he saw and issued two yellow cards although I thought that was harsh on Thiago as it was he that was fouled. Nonetheless all parties would have accepted that.

The VAR official changed it for whatever reason but mistakenly IMHO and brought Oliver to the screen. Once he has done that Oliver is effectively committed to changing the card as they do in over 99% of cases as they just won’t go against the VAR “recommendation”.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Banana said:
Not sure how that would work.
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I was going to put into words my explanation but two other posts #7610 and #7611 over on the Igor Thiago thread say it very clearly and eloquently for me. I'm sure the appeal process does allow for a downgrade of punishment even if the red itself is not recinded but I'm happy to be corrected on this.
It's time for KA and the club to stand up and formally protect our players and more importantly our increasingly damaged reputation.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Stanley said:
The issue with Thiago sending off was not with Oliver but VAR official. Oliver gave what he saw and issued two yellow cards although I thought that was harsh on Thiago as it was he that was fouled. Nonetheless all parties would have accepted that.

The VAR official changed it for whatever reason but mistakenly IMHO and brought Oliver to the screen. Once he has done that Oliver is effectively committed to changing the card as they do in over 99% of cases as they just won’t go against the VAR “recommendation”.
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Oliver can still make his own mind up after going to the screen
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Stanley said:
The issue with Thiago sending off was not with Oliver but VAR official. Oliver gave what he saw and issued two yellow cards although I thought that was harsh on Thiago as it was he that was fouled. Nonetheless all parties would have accepted that.

The VAR official changed it for whatever reason but mistakenly IMHO and brought Oliver to the screen. Once he has done that Oliver is effectively committed to changing the card as they do in over 99% of cases as they just won’t go against the VAR “recommendation”.
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So what did Oliver see on the screen that he didnt see just feet away in real time, that made him change his decision?
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Terrace Weeding said:
Why when Oliver had a clear view of the incident and issued the yellow cards did Atwell have to get involved after all Oliver is supposed to be the best.
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Stanley said:
The VAR official changed it for whatever reason but mistakenly IMHO and brought Oliver to the screen.
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Because the guy had blood dripping from his mouth. Obviously. I get there's a lot of bias and upset on here but let's not ignore the bloomin' obvious.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Mr Tree said:
Because the guy had blood dripping from his mouth. Obviously. I get there's a lot of bias and upset on here but let's not ignore the bloomin' obvious.
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Agree a strike to the head is a red no matter how much we don't agree and the KPI panel or whatever they are called will say it's a correct decision
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

A Real Mysteron said:
The bloke was bleeding from the mouth.

I’m not bothered about discussing further.
People have different opinions.
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How do you know he didn’t have a capsule in his mouth like that bloke from Harlequins? I wouldn’t put it past Brighton to have pre-planned it
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

From Dale Johnson on the BBC:

“Incident: Igor Thiago was sent off following a VAR review after he caught the head of Chema Andres with his forearm.

Verdict: The Brentford striker can consider himself unfortunate, as there is doubt that he truly intended to catch the Spaniard in the face.

What the KMI Panel might say: It may seem like a soft dismissal, but the VAR intervention is likely to be supported because the law does say that a strike to the head should be a red card, unless force is negligible.”


Note the criteria identified by Dale above requires the strike to be deliberate.


View: https://x.com/dalejohnsonbbc/status/2119803940241850534?a=w4QIH9NsEbJeV5-VTKE&s=46
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

North London Bee said:
Changed my mind. I think we should appeal more to try and get the punishment reduced rather than the red card rescinded
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Thank you. But I think most if not all agree the contact with the head was not deliberate and so the card should be rescinded, but surely it was not a 3 game ban offence!
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

North London Bee said:
Changed my mind. I think we should appeal more to try and get the punishment reduced rather than the red card rescinded
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Is there a mechanism to do that though? If it's seen as a red then it can only be for violent conduct which is an automatic 3 game ban.

If we appeal then the red card is rescinded and there's no ban at all.

FWIW I think we should appeal it anyway, this seems to have split opinion from pundits and ex players so we might get lucky with the panel. Nothing to lose by appealing in any case as they no longer add games on for a frivolous appeal.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

In my opinion, and this is slowed down a bit, you can see the Brighton player get up and actually make moves towards Thiago. You can clearly see Thiago is just reacting to this confrontation, actually go to shrug him off but due to Chema forward thrust to Thiago mean Thiagos push away becomes an arm in to face.

The law states negligible. This, to me, is clearly negligible.

View attachment Screen_Recording_20261109_130129_Video Player.mp4
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

The Walrus said:
Is there a mechanism to do that though? If it's seen as a red then it can only be for violent conduct which is an automatic 3 game ban.

If we appeal then the red card is rescinded and there's no ban at all.

FWIW I think we should appeal it anyway, this seems to have split opinion from pundits and ex players so we might get lucky with the panel. Nothing to lose by appealing in any case as they no longer add games on for a frivolous appeal.
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We can appeal on the basis of wrongful dismissal. If successful the red card is quashed and no ban at all.

We could also (either at the same time or in the alternative) appeal on the basis that the standard punishment is excessive. If successful any ban could be reduced to a minimum of 1 match.

All of this is allowed under the disciplinary regulations.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

The Walrus said:
Is there a mechanism to do that though? If it's seen as a red then it can only be for violent conduct which is an automatic 3 game ban.

If we appeal then the red card is rescinded and there's no ban at all.

FWIW I think we should appeal it anyway, this seems to have split opinion from pundits and ex players so we might get lucky with the panel. Nothing to lose by appealing in any case as they no longer add games on for a frivolous appeal.
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Judging by the many reactions and debate one thing's for sure that any appeal could not be considered frivolous.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Untouchable said:
We can appeal on the basis of wrongful dismissal. If successful the red card is quashed and no ban at all.

We could also (either at the same time or in the alternative) appeal on the basis that the standard punishment is excessive. If successful any ban could be reduced to a minimum of 1 match.

All of this is allowed under the disciplinary regulations.
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Wondering whether a more fruitful avenue for appeal would be on process rather than subjective substance.

Not aware exactly what the ref was shown at the VAR screen. If it wasn’t the full incident e.g. ~5 seconds before he made contact to ~5 seconds after, at normal speed, then that goes against the VAR guidelines.

Given the ref had originally given a yellow and so had an opinion on the incident, could be argued that he was swayed by the manner in which the incident was presented.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

ladbroke said:
Thing is mate that the falls flat when you have the incident from one of our games in a previous season (which i acknowledge you recognise is a red by the way) and referees in the PL not agreeing. It really does feel like a "check badge" moment these days.

You and I both know that (should) not be the case but it does.
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I get that point of view, but you of all people know as an official yourself that there will never be 100% agreement on 100% of decisions given the subjective nature of them.

We can't keep using a clear mistake in a previous season as an example as to why it's an injustice though, and just need to accept such clear mistakes (however infuriating it is when they're against us!!) are used as an example of how to get it right when similar/the same happens next time from the very next game. It won't eliminate mistakes, but we can only hope that they're minimised.

Ask every fan of every club though, they will all say they get the raw end of the deal compared to XYZ other clubs.

But then again, everything I've said above becomes moot as if we all agreed on everything 100% of the time we'd really be struggling for what we love most about the beautiful game - constantly going on about it 🤣
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Themepark said:
I get that point of view, but you of all people know as an official yourself that there will never be 100% agreement on 100% of decisions given the subjective nature of them.

We can't keep using a clear mistake in a previous season as an example as to why it's an injustice though, and just need to accept such clear mistakes (however infuriating it is when they're against us!!) are used as an example of how to get it right when similar/the same happens next time from the very next game. It won't eliminate mistakes, but we can only hope that they're minimised.

Ask every fan of every club though, they will all say they get the raw end of the deal compared to XYZ other clubs.

But then again, everything I've said above becomes moot as if we all agreed on everything 100% of the time we'd really be struggling for what we love most about the beautiful game - constantly going on about it 🤣
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Ok.. but this weekend alone has seen some horrors from those on the pitch and at VAR.
The two on our game had errors in their own respective reverse roles. Oliver was VAR for the Arsenal game where an offside decision was wrong in law and he failed to correct it.
Atwell was in the middle for the Everton game where Tarkowski apparently done the hair pull and other decisions.

These are very recent.
Incident is not comparable to Thiago but too many mistakes are happening.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Themepark said:
I get that point of view, but you of all people know as an official yourself that there will never be 100% agreement on 100% of decisions given the subjective nature of them.

We can't keep using a clear mistake in a previous season as an example as to why it's an injustice though, and just need to accept such clear mistakes (however infuriating it is when they're against us!!) are used as an example of how to get it right when similar/the same happens next time from the very next game. It won't eliminate mistakes, but we can only hope that they're minimised.

Ask every fan of every club though, they will all say they get the raw end of the deal compared to XYZ other clubs.

But then again, everything I've said above becomes moot as if we all agreed on everything 100% of the time we'd really be struggling for what we love most about the beautiful game - constantly going on about it 🤣
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All welll and good but I see no evidence that the referees are learning from previous mistakes in fact it seems they are compounding them!!!

I wouldn’t want to be a ref as it’s a thankless task however week on week we are seeing more mistakes highlighted and the worrying thing is that a number of these are VAR errors which puts the validity of VAR in doubt.

I am not going to argue on the specifics of our game with Brighton as everyone has their own idea! However I doubt anyone can argue that the spiral of ineptitude from our officials is looking to end soon, although if they were to actually apply the laws as written I suggest things might improve: eg simulation, crowding the ref etc
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

hanworthbee said:
I do wonder if that penalty would have been given up at anfield, old Trafford etc against the home team
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"Having reviewed the incident, as the offence is not considered to pass the threshold for 'prolonged holding', and the Liverpool/United/etc defender was also being impeded, no further action is required".
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

I'm aware that the rules do change every season but I'm sure it has always been the case that if the referee sees the offence then VAR shouldn't "re-referee" the same incident. Oliver saw it and dealt with it well. Very disappointing for VAR to intervene.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

The Pipe said:
although if they were to actually apply the laws as written I suggest things might improve: eg simulation, crowding the ref etc
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Can categorically tell you that even applying the law absolutely to the letter does nothing to prevent surrounding, dissent, simulation etc 🙂🙃
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Pretty concise recap here from the article above:

A recap of events: Andrés grips Thiago’s shirt while the Brentford forward has the ball, and then shoves Thiago in the chest. Thiago responds by brushing off Andrés with his arms. In doing so, one arm inadvertently makes contact with the Spaniard’s face. Andrés, unlike Thiago, uses this contact as an excuse to collapse to the turf in pretend agony. Thiago is shown a red card.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Banana said:
Pretty concise recap here from the article above:

A recap of events: Andrés grips Thiago’s shirt while the Brentford forward has the ball, and then shoves Thiago in the chest. Thiago responds by brushing off Andrés with his arms. In doing so, one arm inadvertently makes contact with the Spaniard’s face. Andrés, unlike Thiago, uses this contact as an excuse to collapse to the turf in pretend agony. Thiago is shown a red card.
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Yep.

This has now been called out on MOTD, Ref Watch, The Telegraph and by every other sensible commentator. Even Dale Johnson and the BHA reporter for the Athletic have called it soft.

Probably not something that will help with our appeal but I can see a possibility of the laws being changed to make more explicit references to provocation and simulation and how that affects disciplinary sanction.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

The tide of public and media opinion is turning. There is widespread revulsion at this level of cheating to provoke a reaction and then overreact by doing a diving swan impression.

Thiago might possibly benefit from this in his appeal.

He was walking away and not even looking at the Brighton player whom he attempted to brush away.

This is going to be an interesting appeal. Will the absolute letter of the law prevail or will some weight be given to the actual circumstances of the situation leaving aside the battering Thiago is subjected to game after game.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

When players collapse to the turf after contact to the head the first thing that should happen is the concussion protocols kick in.

You need to sub him, player safety.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

I think that when a player goes down claiming a head injury there should be an automatic VAR review of the sequence and if he is clearly faking injury (e.g. wasn’t touched, or hardly touched as has been the case a few times recently) there should be an automatic yellow card for simulation (“ungentlemanly conduct“).

On Sunday that could have resulted in one yellow card for the foul and a second for simulation. If a few of these cheats start picking up cards maybe they or their clubs might stop this behaviour which we’re all sickened by and fed up with.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Les Beeavinu said:
Think I'm more annoyed with the Ajer yellow card, was Oliver putting down some kind of marker? That's not his job.
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As promised, I've watched it back now so I can try to find the logic. I think it's been given for reckless play as the challenge ends up standing on the ankle which buckles it a bit. Doesn't endanger safety, but could be deemed as a disregard. Commentators seem to agree it's a stonewall yellow once they see the replay themselves, but equally were surprised by it until they did.

I'm not saying I agree with/am defending it before I get dogpiled on and have words twisted around by anybody.. just explaining the logic behind it as I see. it.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Themepark said:
As promised, I've watched it back now so I can try to find the logic. I think it's been given for reckless play as the challenge ends up standing on the ankle which buckles it a bit. Doesn't endanger safety, but could be deemed as a disregard. Commentators seem to agree it's a stonewall yellow once they see the replay themselves, but equally were surprised by it until they did.

I'm not saying I agree with/am defending it before I get dogpiled on and have words twisted around by anybody.. just explaining the logic behind it as I see. it.
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Lucky that Atwell was probably still signing in then.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

TeeJayBee said:
I think that when a player goes down claiming a head injury there should be an automatic VAR review of the sequence and if he is clearly faking injury (e.g. wasn’t touched, or hardly touched as has been the case a few times recently) there should be an automatic yellow card for simulation (“ungentlemanly conduct“).
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I agree with this.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

TeeJayBee said:
I think that when a player goes down claiming a head injury there should be an automatic VAR review of the sequence and if he is clearly faking injury (e.g. wasn’t touched, or hardly touched as has been the case a few times recently) there should be an automatic yellow card for simulation (“ungentlemanly conduct“).
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IMO it should be a red card. In this situation a player is knowingly cheating and attempting to deceive a match official.

Yellow cards won’t stop it happening, red cards and lengthy suspensions will.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Untouchable said:
IMO it should be a red card. In this situation a player is knowingly cheating and attempting to deceive a match official.

Yellow cards won’t stop it happening, red cards and lengthy suspensions will.
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VAR could have easily given MacAllister a red card for cheating when he went down under the "headbutt" from Madueke, once they saw there was no contact.
That - imo - would have ended this cheating right there and then
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

aawharris said:
VAR could have easily given MacAllister a red card for cheating when he went down under the "headbutt" from Madueke, once they saw there was no contact.
That - imo - would have ended this cheating right there and then
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Yes. It would quite literally take one match week of players being sent off and banned for simulation for this all to stop.

It is an easily fixable problem, if there is the appetite to do anything about it.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Untouchable said:
Yes. It would quite literally take one match week of players being sent off and banned for simulation for this all to stop.

It is an easily fixable problem, if there is the appetite to do anything about it.
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Again, the problem is officials not wanting to upset any clubs (and im not just saying big clubs).
Even booking players for over acting when they are caught gently would be a start, showing they will be pulled up for cheating - Jacquet is the perfect example, whatever Yarmo did, it didnt warrant him laying poleaxed, not moving for over a minute - and if it does, automatic substitution because they clearly have a huge issue
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

Kevin O'Connor said at the Bees United AGM this evening that the referee who awarded the penalty against Doncaster which Trotta missed was none other than Michael Oliver.
 

Referee Watch 2026/27

aawharris said:
VAR could have easily given MacAllister a red card for cheating when he went down under the "headbutt" from Madueke, once they saw there was no contact.
That - imo - would have ended this cheating right there and then
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And Gabriel in the same game !
 
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