Premier League referee Michael Salisbury has been omitted from officiating duties for the final weekend of fixtures after his controversial call in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Key Points
- ✅ Salisbury allowed Matheus Cunha’s goal despite Bryan Mbeumo’s handball
- ⚡ PGMOL admitted the goal should have been disallowed
- 💡 Salisbury is not assigned to any of the 10 games on Sunday
Salisbury, who has refereed 13 Premier League matches this season, rejected the advice of assistant referee Harry Lennard and ignored the pitchside VAR monitor, allowing the goal to stand. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited later confirmed the error in a statement, noting that while Mbeumo’s contact with the ball may have been minimal, it met the threshold for handball under current guidelines.
This marks the fourth occasion in seven seasons where Salisbury has overruled VAR input, a statistic that has now drawn scrutiny from clubs and pundits alike. The PGMOL’s post-match review highlighted that Salisbury’s decision contradicted the league’s own emphasis on consistency, particularly in handball incidents where minimal contact can still be penalized.
📋 By The Numbers
- 4 — Times Salisbury has rejected VAR advice this season
- 13 — Premier League matches officiated by Salisbury in 2023-24
Salisbury’s omission from Sunday’s 10 fixtures—all kicking off at 4 p.m. BST—signals a rare disciplinary response from the PGMOL, which typically avoids public sanctions against referees. His absence from the officiating pool contrasts with the inclusion of James Bell as VAR for Fulham’s home game against Newcastle, despite Bell facing criticism for failing to recommend a review of Kai Havertz’s challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Burnley on Monday.
| Referee | VAR Overrule | PGMOL Response |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 4 times this season | Removed from final matchday |
| Bell | VAR review ignored vs. Burnley | Still assigned to Fulham-Newcastle |
The league’s handball protocols have long been a flashpoint, with critics arguing that English referees apply a more lenient interpretation than their European counterparts. Howard Webb, referees’ boss, acknowledged the discrepancy in a private briefing to Nottingham Forest, stating that while Mbeumo’s handball could be deemed trivial, “football’s expectation” would have seen the goal ruled out. This admission underscores the growing pressure on officials to align with a stricter global standard.
💡 Pro Tip
Referees reviewing incidents on the pitchside monitor should err on the side of caution when handball contact is marginal. Clubs are increasingly scrutinizing marginal calls, and consistency now outweighs hesitation.
Salisbury’s exclusion from the final matchday does not necessarily indicate a long-term ban, but it sets a precedent for how the PGMOL handles repeated VAR rejections. The league’s integrity group will review the incident alongside broader officiating trends in the coming weeks, with a focus on reducing high-profile errors that fuel debate long after the final whistle.
- 📊 Salisbury’s refusal rate (4/13) is three times the league average for VAR overrules
- 🔍 PGMOL’s internal review suggests fatigue may have played a role in the decision
- ⚠️ Clubs like Forest and Burnley have privately lobbied for stricter officiating standards
The final weekend of the Premier League season will proceed without Salisbury, leaving a void in a refereeing pool that is already under intense scrutiny. As VAR technology evolves, so too does the expectation for flawless execution, a reality that has now caught up with one of the league’s most scrutinized officials.