The decision to cancel Morgan Rogers’ goal against Manchester United in a Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday has led to Aston Villa filing a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
10-man Aston Villa needed a win over the Red Devils to qualify for next season’s Champions League and looked set to get the crucial three points despite playing the entire second half a man down after seeing goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, sent off just before half-time.
However, referee Thomas Bramall ruled out Rogers’ strike for a foul on United goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, having stopped play before the ball entered the net, meaning the video assistant referee (VAR) could not intervene.
Bayindir appeared not to have full possession of the ball when Rogers was penalised with a foul on the goalkeeper. United would take the lead three minutes later when Bruno Fernandes’ cross was headed in by Amad Diallo, before Christian Eriksen sealed the win with a penalty.
“We are going to send a complaint. The complaint is not about the decision, it is about the selection of the referee – one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League,” Aston Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, said.
Vidagany added, “It’s not about the decision, clearly it was a mistake. The complaint is about the referee. The problem is why the international referees were not here today.”