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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Moreover, taking into account the errors verified by the independent panel, Arsenal haven't had much fortune with VAR in recent years. This season as well, the decisions against them were more than those in favour. You can listen to pundits and influencers, or you can simply check the data 🤷🏻‍♂️

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

On holiday until the end of the season so, unfortunately, no analyses of the match officials' appointments for the last 2 weekends, but I will come back during the break with some data and infographics about this whole season. To everyone whose club is still fighting for something, ALL THE BEST! ✊🏻

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Where you could have had grounds to appeal the decision, and I believe it would have been the correct call here and in many episodes this season, is in Law12 because Pablo is actively moving in Pickford's way to obstruct him, so it should have been a free kick. Were you robbed? You could say that

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Tough one. There is a key difference: the holding of the GK's arm. In fact, in the new rules for 2025-26, only "holding" is considered an offence. Anything else is really the ref's discretion. To be fair to Kavanagh, he's the only one who awards these fouls (not always), like the pen in #FULMUN

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Darren England to officiate the #MCICHE FA Cup final on the 16th of May: www.thefa.com/news/2026/ap... I appreciate that the website is showing each official's FA registration. This should be the standard of transparency everywhere.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

While updating the big matrix (bsky.app/profile/pgmo...), I once again noticed the odd back-to-back appointments of Pawson to Man United games, so I decided to do a little exercise and focus on Amorim v Carrick from a PGMOL perspective. And it was interesting. [1/7]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

For those interested in finding every referee's allegiance, here is a little bit of "reverse engineering"... Paul Howard from London has been in charge of VAR for every Premier League club except Arsenal and Tottenham. So, clearly a North London fan, but red or white?

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

First, the update on the infographics... Remember that PGMOL's current appointment policy theoretically bans same-city officials from a match but offers no guidance for regional conflicts, as Serie A did until last season. Btw, ~70% of MUN conflicts happened after Carrick's appointment

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Semenyo picked up his first yellow card in a City shirt in #CHEMCI, which is interesting considering he used to be one of the worst "offenders" in the PL. Now, this infographic is merely anecdotal, but I wanted to highlight the player's disciplinary stats, as I touched upon this before the move

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Interestingly, this post appeared on Twitter before the announcement. Spot on. Oliver is indeed officiating #ARSBOU (moreover, he does it ahead of #BOUNEW so there's another conflict), with England at VAR And Kavanagh gets #CHEMCI (he's on the Manchester FA and trains on City's grounds)

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

[5/6] Fans are always highlighting these situations, usually in infuriated talks about Arsenal's "dark arts". Based on the new rules for this season, these should always result in free kicks or penalties, depending on the offending side. This is very inconsistently applied. And again yesterday

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

[4/6] Interestingly, there was another offence that went totally undetected, and could have led to disallowing United's second goal. On the corner, Amad is clearly holding and impeding Petrovic who cannot move to catch the ball before it goes behind him.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Unfortunately, Stuart Attwell seems to be making crucial errors every time he goes on the pitch or in front of a monitor, and #BOUMUN was yet another confirmation of that. He once famously awarded a ghost goal, so the expectations are always pretty low, aren't they? [1/6]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

So, Peter Bankes will be the referee in the #ARSMCI Carabao Cup final (www.efl.com/news/2026/ma...) He is (unofficially) an Everton fan, and he has officiated this fixture twice in the Prem - 2020-21 (VAR), ARS-MCI 0-1 (ref was Jonathan Moss) - 2024-25 (Ref), ARS-MCI 5-1 (VAR was Paul Tierney)

Premier League referee Peter Bankes will officiate the Carabao Cup final in 2026

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The officials for the Carabao Cup final (March 22nd): x.com/FA_PGMOL/sta...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Meanwhile, the FA have already handed a 1-match ban to Alex Bruce (Saltford's coach), following his abuse in the match against Cheltenham on the 21st of February. Obviously, this is correct and the expected course of action. But fans got angry when I said that justice "feels slower" with City...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I'll keep replying to @woltemessi27.bsky.social here because it's not the first time I get comments about the disallowed replies by default, so I need to clarify this for everyone. First of all, I remain anonymous because there is no reason to let my public image interfere with my posts...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[9/10] Had Chelsea scored from this corner, this would have likely been checked, and the goal disallowed, also because Sarr goes on with impeding Raya. But it should have been identified when looking at the handball as well, as part of the whole passage of play.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[8/10] If we roll back another second, we get to the incident I was hoping to clarify with more images. Unfortunately, this is what's available as of now. But you can see that Sarr is stomping on Raya's foot. Anywhere else on the pitch this has always resulted in fouls and yellow cards this season

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[6/10] Here specifically: - Rice>Hato (high impact) - Hincapie>Chalobah>Timber (soft) - Gyokeres>Enzo - Sarr>Raya (high impact) - Saliba and JP exposing each other's chest Plenty of room for a decision either way. However, mutual holding is usually not penalised: www.espn.co.uk/football/sto...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[5/10] But this was not the only officiating mistake in this same corner kick. It's actually the last, as there were other incidents for which England could have stopped the game even before the ball reached Rice's arm. Starting with the holding. An offence that was never penalised in either box.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[4/10] Just looking at recent matches, the Carabao Cup semi (above) or yesterday's #LEEMCI, it seems officials aren't too keen on awarding penalties when in doubt. However, this sort of consistency should not be taken as evidence that the relative decisions were correct. In fact, they weren't

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[3/10] Rice's movement is not just a consequence of holding Hato (and I'll get to that), but he deliberately raises his arm when the ball reaches him. This action should result in a textbook penalty. Annoyingly, this is an incident for which there seems to be some consistency in the officiating

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

[2/10] Now, as explained in the rules (see screenshot above), "not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence" and Rice is not making himself "unnaturally bigger", but, as we see in this video, he "deliberately touches the ball with their arm moving the arm towards the ball"

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I was waiting to see if there were other angles or the ref cam but no, not yet, so I'll use the images you may have already seen on MOTD Starting with the handball. The exact moment the ball touches Rice's arm, it's above the sleeve so, while not an excuse, it may have fooled the officials [1/10]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Here is something that will be addressed by the new rules for next season, with VAR checks for corners, though it seems that the Premier League intends to opt out despite several other incidents this season 🤷🏻‍♂️ In #ARSCHE, Sanchez touched the ball once before it went completely out.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

So much went wrong in the first Chelsea corner in #ARSCHE, but I will wait to have the full video to talk about it, because there is also a foul on Raya before we even get to the handball. Hopefully MOTD or other shows will have that

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

And maybe these too (Cherki in #LEEMCI)... Man, how I've had my fair share of studs stamped on my legs this way... Also, the ball here was kicked away to waste time.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Thought I remembered a similar episode that was not deemed a DOGSO, even if it was clearer because the GK was a but further away... It was in #LIVMCI

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Also in #MUNCRY, I can't wait for the day IFAB will announce these will be treated as simulations and produce a yellow card.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

While the penalty may be given for the pull in #MUNCRY, the red for DOGSO is likely too harsh. For this to be a goal scoring opportunity, Cunha must be in control of the ball to score, or likely to reach the ball in a favourable position to score, BUT...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

All the silly patches introduced to the Law to tackle time-wasting, when one of the main culprits remains VAR. The way it is used here goes against its own purpose: if it takes more than 90 seconds to decide (and I'm being generous), it's neither clear nor obvious 🤷🏻‍♂️

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

PGMOL released the ref's cam view, which shows Bankes had a clear view of what was going on. The camera is now to the left side of the ref's head, not on the chest, so his eyes were most certainly looking that way.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Kavanagh is also worth a mention as the ref of #MUNCRY because, once again, a Manchester ref goes on the pitch with a Manchester club. The following week, Tierney will be at VAR for #NEWMUN. This chart needs constant updating

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

[3/4] On the other hand, Spurs can argue that, when Ekitike used even more force to push Romero and score in #TOTLIV, this was cleared. Same with other episodes. So, of course they got angry. This is the big issue we see every week: a consistent lack of consistency and too much subjectivity

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

In #TOTARS, the biggest controversy has been the disallowed equaliser for Kolo Mouani, ruled a push on Gabriel. Per Law12, the decision is correct: even if soft, Kolo Mouani has no business stretching his arms towards Gabriel's back as it gives the officials something to cling on. Still, ... [1/4]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

On the goal disallowed to MacAllister in #NFOLIV, there is no doubt that the handball was not intentional, but Law12 clearly states that it is still an offence if a player "scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental".

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

In theory, they should have clamped down with the new Laws introduced this season, and in a couple of games there have been penalties for holding, but the approach in the Premier League is still very permissive.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

[6/7] This wasn't actually the only push on Burn that had the wrong outcome. Bernardo Silva, already booked, charged him and had no interest in the ball whatsoever. That is as clear as it gets: "no attempt to play the ball" is, by definition, "unsporting behaviour" and reckless. Always a yellow.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

There is a lot of confusion around Dan Burn's disallowed equaliser in #MCINEW. The goal is disallowed because Burn is offside when the free kick is taken, but he is in an offside position because he is pushed into offside by the City defender. So, what does the Law say in this case? [1/7]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

So, Rodri may face disciplinary consequences after all: www.msn.com/en-gb/news/n... Meanwhile, he was still able to play key matches against Liverpool and the second leg of the cup against Newcastle (and the Fulham game)... Somehow, justice feels slower when City is involved, doesn't it?

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

No surprises in Manchester, as yet another local referee walks the pitch: Matt Donohue (from Southend, but registered with the Manchester FA and lives there - the Manchester FA trains on City's grounds btw). Sheffield supporter Craig Pawson has his fifth Leeds game (4th official). We'll see, eh?

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Here is the English commentary. I find the part about statistics very interesting, particularly the serious fouls, because I feel like I can relate. Anyhow, here:

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

The Head of UEFA Referees, Roberto Rosetti, spoke at a recent meeting in Brussels about VAR, among other things. I only found an article in Italian mentioning it (www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/12-02...) but I'll add a screenshot below with an English summary...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

[Conspiracy?] When it comes to matchfixing, most people think it unfolds through decisions against one team on the pitch, to benefit the other. While it's certainly one way, there are other subtler ways to benefit a club. Particularly long-term. And that's through fouls and cards management [1/7]

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Tony Harrington was uniquely appointed to 3 matches (!) in MW26: - 4th in #CHELEE - VAR in #AVLBHA - Ref in #BREARS (was ref in #ARSBRE too) He has now quietly been removed from 2 of them, only keeping his VAR app. His replacement is John Brooks for both matches.

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

I talked about Solanke's goal so I shall mention Romero's red in #MUNTOT too. My first reaction was, again, Romero is the one in control of the ball so he is not initiating a challenge, therefore a red was too harsh. It's careless but he was trying to kick the ball that he had control of... But...

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Since FBREF is now useless, I am collecting all the historical data from FootballData. So, back to the question, how "boring" is this season (bsky.app/profile/pgmo...)? Well, if the number of 0-0 is the metric (as per social media "stars"), this is the 3rd LEAST boring season in PL history!

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

One more chart in this series: appointment of "local" referees since the Introduction of VAR. Obviously, refs are professionals and unbiased (until they aren't: Coote, Clattenburg, Dean...), but it makes you appreciate the efforts in the title race of Liverpool and Arsenal even more, doesn't it?

SAME REGION APPOINTMENTS OF REFEREES, Since VAR Introduction in 2019 - an infographic by pgmol-watch.bsky.social

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PGMOL Watch @pgmol-watch.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

[3/5] But the most interesting comment I read was this (on an English refs forum). This may imply that some VAR decisions are not decisions at all. Seems like this ref is saying that "to stay out of it" is an option In the case of Bell, he was at VAR on many of the controversies reported by ESPN

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