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Messages - UmpireIan49
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1
« on: Mon 26 Jan 2026 19:36 »
The only incident of note that I spotted on the highlights was when Joelinton committed a foul, Jarred Gillett played on as Villa had possession.
The Newcastle keeper had the ball and Gillett saw that two Villa players were down, one as a result of the foul by Joelinton.
Joelinton was cautioned correctly, though the crowd were incensed (when are they not?). The game was stopped for the treatment to both players.
Cannot comment on the rest of it but as I’ve alluded to many times on here, referees can’t win no matter what they do. The expectations that they have to be perfect will forever be ridiculous so as the referees are not perfect, the fans will continue to complain even if the performance was decent, as seems to be the case here.
By the way, Jarred Gillett is having a very good season, and seems to be trusted in these big games now. What fans think needs to come with a barrowload of salt.
2
« on: Mon 26 Jan 2026 00:29 »
The intervention at Crystal Palace was incorrect as first of all, the handball in the penalty area was not deliberate so a penalty shouldn’t have been awarded.
Once the penalty was awarded, England said “The handball was accidental so it’s a penalty and a yellow card”. Bizarre to say the least considering other correct handball interpretations this weekend by on field refs and VAR alike.
It was a deep hole dug by VAR Matt Donohue and Darren England fell into it I’m afraid. Poor decision in the first place and a poor explanation which lacked any sense at all.
3
« on: Sun 25 Jan 2026 23:54 »
I’ve just realised something, the three incidents regarding handball over the last two weeks have all involved Darren England, either as VAR or on field referee.
First of all, the handball incident at Nottingham Forest where in my opinion, there was a clear handling offence in the penalty area but no OFR recommended for Michael Oliver to look at.
Then the incident with Farai Hallam yesterday at Manchester City. A recommendation from England that Hallam look at a potential penalty which was correctly called by the on field referee. After looking, Farai Hallam showed resilience to stick with his decision of no penalty. England’s initial recommendation difficult to fathom.
And then onto today’s game at Crystal Palace where the incident has been discussed elsewhere. Poor decision by VAR Matt Donohue in the first place to recommend a review and an even more incomprehensible explanation by Darren England which frankly was wrong.
Concerning? I would say so for a top flight official. Clear reviews not called for and the other two which should have seen no further consideration, saw some further consideration.
Inconsistent and for the fans and neutral observers like myself, completely bewildering.
Not using this as a stick to beat Darren England with, but highlighting the wrong interpretations of the current handball law is necessary here as I think a further look at standards are needed.
What I will say is that Farai Hallam, Paul Tierney and Craig Pawson didn’t disappear down the proverbial rabbit hole and got the interpretations correct, and well done to them. As for Darren England, I would be more than a little concerned.
4
« on: Sun 25 Jan 2026 23:26 »
With regards to the penalty incident - I’m quite baffled as to how a penalty was awarded.
First of all, if we’re taking other incidents this weekend regarding handball than this is patently incorrect.
It’s not a deliberate handball at all. The arm has made no movement towards the ball, in fact the arm is forced backwards by the shot.
Then Matt Donohue and Darren England disappeared down a rabbit hole with the final explanation. “An accidental handball so it’s only a yellow card”. Yes it was an accidental handball so no penalty should have been given.
Once the OFR was recommended the bemusement started. They say many a decision is spoilt by a poor explanation and I think the two gentlemen will have some explaining to do as I was totally confused by the OFR and the subsequent explanation.
Darren England doesn’t convince me as a referee as his style seems a little stilted and wooden. Not a great deal of empathy for the game and consequently his control suffers a bit.
The sending off was correct but the award of the penalty and the explanation was totally out of step with the other correct handball interpretations this weekend. Very strange.
5
« on: Sun 25 Jan 2026 22:52 »
Possible handball for the Man Utd second goal? Not for me, one replay looked as though it was arm, one replay it was hip. There was enough doubt there so the on field decision of goal rightly stood and thankfully no OFR from VAR Paul Tierney.
Arsenal had a penalty shout where the ball hit Maguire’s hand - not for me. He was attempting to block the ball and it was not a deliberate handling offence. Correct decision - no penalty.
After Craig Pawson’s messy performance in the FA Cup tie at Tottenham recently - the word from our esteemed correspondents is that he performed well here. He put to rest the thought that he doesn’t care or he’s past it, he is a decent referee in point of fact. They are allowed to have a bad day at the office as it does appear they are human beings! To say that all referees should be perfect 100% of the time is a stupidly unrealistic expectation.
Cracking game of football and some great goals.
6
« on: Sat 24 Jan 2026 23:30 »
I must say, fair play to the debutant referee for sticking with his original call of no penalty.
We don’t see too much of this sticking with the original call as the referees like to go with the flow as it were. As for the decision - yes the arm was out, but the ball hit the back of the arm. That can hardly be construed as deliberate.
And then quelle surprise - Guardiola shows his usual arrogance and lack of grace especially where officials are concerned, as Whistleblower commented, Farai Hallam must have done a good job if Pep got the hump.
Not sure what the VAR and his second in command were thinking with the OFR but kudos to Hallam who is getting plenty of praise from the pundits on Match of the Day to my evident pleasure and surprise.
We will see more of Farai Hallam in the Prem before the season is out, he certainly has a lot of promise.
7
« on: Sun 18 Jan 2026 18:24 »
Totally agree, and a life ban and an assault charge from the police should be on its way soon enough. What makes people do things like this?
Sickening doesn’t even begin to cover it.
8
« on: Sat 17 Jan 2026 23:52 »
Jarred Gillett, performing very well since his return before Christmas, was kept busy in this match, issuing eight yellow cards.
From the potted highlights that I’ve seen, Gillett played two excellent advantages, one of which nearly led to a goal, and one that did.
He then played another one before rightly going back and penalising Archie Gray of Tottenham for a spiteful challenge that deservedly earned a yellow card.
Thoughts on a potential penalty for Tottenham? The ball certainly strikes the hand of the West Ham defender, but was it deliberate? Tricky call for VAR James Bell and he ruled no penalty.
Then the winning goal for West Ham. The Tottenham keeper was claiming a foul, it certainly wasn’t. He wasn’t strong enough in getting to the ball and the goal was rightly given on field and confirmed by James Bell.
Looked to be good work from Gillett and he continues his very good run of form where he displays exemplary control and quiet authority, his trademarks along with fine game awareness (see above) and firm decision making.
He has to be in line for one of the domestic finals this year.
9
« on: Sun 11 Jan 2026 19:27 »
It is more than mere coincidence that the absence of VAR this weekend has contributed to some excellent FA Cup ties, with decisions more or less accepted without too much rancour or argument.
No VAR has meant that the referees have had the confidence to call decisions themselves and stick by them. No hanging round for 3/4 minutes while the evidence is pored over and the final decision being picked over by pundits, fans and social media alike.
Just a refreshing change from the usual stuff we read about on a regular basis on this esteemed forum. A couple of indifferent performances (John Brooks and Craig Pawson spring to mind this weekend) but otherwise the officials have had a relatively trouble free time of it and have breathed bucketfuls of refreshing air for a change.
Nice to see some of the up and coming officials at the top table, notably Tom Kirk, Adam Herczeg and Farai Hallam in action at Anfield tomorrow. Great experience for the promising officials of tomorrow.
Never been a fan of the technology but this weekend has proved that referees and assistant referees alike can do without it and turn in decent performances under pressure.
Amen to that!
10
« on: Sun 11 Jan 2026 16:40 »
Tony Harrington has to be one of the most improved referees in the top echelon of English refereeing. A few people were surprised (including myself) when he was elevated to SG1 in 2021/22, but since then, despite some injury setbacks, Harrington has turned in consistently good displays in most of the games he has officiated.
His hallmarks? A good decision maker, not afraid to make the big calls, and has good control and authority on the field. The powers that be are trusting him to do the job well and he is repaying that trust.
I would like Tony Harrington to be given some of the more crunch games as the season goes along, this would be a fitting reward for some stellar performances so far this year.
11
« on: Sat 10 Jan 2026 22:47 »
Normally the experienced Craig Pawson has a good, laid back style but here I felt he needed to be a bit stronger in the early stages and administer those cautions which may have settled the game down a bit.
It was a curate’s egg of a display from Pawson, good
in parts but inconsistent and hesitant in others, most notably in the second half where the players seemed to want to take charge and settle their own scores.
As someone rightly commented, Craig Pawson reacted to events rather than taking a firm grip and letting the players know he was in charge, not them.
We have all had our bad days, and despite this quite ridiculous expectation that all referees should be perfect 100% of the time, some of our more esteemed officials also have their off days. It wasn’t one of Craig Pawson’s better evenings, that said the appalling antics after the final whistle wasn’t down to him, it’s just some individuals are quite incapable of exercising self control.
12
« on: Thu 08 Jan 2026 10:40 »
Haven’t seen the game so can’t comment fully, but having watched Grealish get away with backchat to referees before, it’s good to hear of a referee taking positive action.
All this rubbish we hear of managing the game and keeping all 22 players on the park, well it’s about time the laws are applied more rigidly, especially pertaining to dissent/abusive language. Another thing that bothers me is when a player gets sent off for dissent or abusive language, it’s the official that gets accused of being over sensitive. I think back to Jarred Gillett sending off Dan Neil of Sunderland a few years ago. Some of the vitriol on here directed at Gillett was frankly laughable when it was the player at fault.
The PGMOL’s faith in Tom Kirk seems to be fully justified and it remains to be seen whether he will be backed over the sending off of Grealish. Rugby refs don’t put up with dissent so why should football refs?
And good to read of some positive reports on an up
and coming official.
13
« on: Wed 07 Jan 2026 17:55 »
A referee at the top of his game at the moment - officiating with confidence, clarity and authority.
I like his explanation of the non penalty “Leg onto arm - we will check it, move your players away from me”. Gillett was confident it wasn’t a penalty and then the players gave up contesting the decision because he wasn’t going to change his mind.
Has to be in line for any of the three domestic finals later in the season - certainly having a fine season, and hoping it continues.
14
« on: Thu 01 Jan 2026 22:57 »
Have only seen the highlights - and it was a terrific match to watch. Sunderland are a breath of fresh air in the Premier League and really tested City.
As for Jarred Gillett, it is no surprise to hear he had a decent match. He is a referee I’ve always rated and at times he has found it tough, but most of the time he makes it look easy, has a quiet, natural authority and makes good decisions. He has the respect of the players, and allows matches to flow well and to allow some physical contact.
There was some reservations about Gillett coming back from his VAR duties abroad and finding it tricky to acclimatise over the busy Christmas period. He has refereed two matches since his return and it’s though he’s settled back into his favourite armchair.
Certainly cementing his place as one of our leading officials.
15
« on: Sun 07 Dec 2025 16:24 »
As we know, Paul Howard is an EFL referee performing very well as a Premier League VAR, showing up some of his more esteemed colleagues in that role.
I haven’t seen all of this game but a really good decision at the end to caution the Newport player for simulation when he attempted to win a penalty. The commentators were full of praise for Howard even after he got a corner decision wrong, with co commentator Paul Robinson (ex Leeds and Tottenham) saying Paul Howard has had a good match.
Easy win for Boreham Wood, and I wouldn’t fancy the chances of a top side if Wood get a home tie in Round 3.
As for the referee, we will hear more of him on VAR duties, with his performance in the Newcastle v Burnley match yesterday of fine quality with two good OFR interventions for Stuart Attwell to overturn.
Good work all round.
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