Following the recent drama in the Premier League, where Leandro Trossard received a controversial red card during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City, we’re reminded of how pivotal officiating can be in shaping match outcomes. The decision sparked immediate outrage among players and fans, reigniting discussions about the consistency and fairness of refereeing in top-tier football. In light of this latest incident, we take a closer look at the Top 10 most controversial referee decisions in Premier League history, exploring how these moments have impacted teams and changed the course of matches.
Pedro Mendes’ Disallowed Goal vs. Manchester United (2005)
One of the most infamous non-goal decisions in Premier League history, Tottenham’s Pedro Mendes unleashed a shot from halfway that Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll mishandled, with the ball clearly crossing the line. However, neither the referee nor the assistant awarded the goal, which led to outrage from Spurs fans.
19 years ago today, Pedro Mendes scored THAT goal against Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll that wasn't given…
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 4, 2024
VAR would've come in handy 😅 pic.twitter.com/TKkg0W8QR0
Luis Suárez’s Handball vs. Newcastle (2013)
Luis Suárez was no stranger to controversy, and in a Premier League game against Newcastle, he handled the ball before scoring. Despite Newcastle’s protests, the goal stood, leaving the footballing world questioning the officiating.
Darren Bent’s Beach Ball Goal vs. Liverpool (2009)
In one of the strangest Premier League moments, Sunderland‘s Darren Bent scored after his shot deflected off a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool fan. Despite the interference, the goal stood, leading to massive controversy and Liverpool’s anger at referee Mike Jones for not stopping play.
El 17 de octubre de 2009 el Sunderland le ganó 1 a 0 al Liverpool en el Stadium of Light con un gol de Darrent Bent. El remate del delantero rebotó en una pelota de playa roja que un niño había lanzado al terreno de juego y despistó a Pepe Reina. pic.twitter.com/rMQVlhFvAb
— David Mosquera (@renaldinhos) October 17, 2019
Wayne Rooney’s Dive vs. Arsenal (2004)
Manchester United ended Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run in 2004, but the victory was marred by controversy. Wayne Rooney won a penalty after what appeared to be minimal contact from Sol Campbell. The penalty decision was heavily criticized and changed the course of the match.
Raheem Sterling’s Offside Goal vs. Bournemouth (2017)
In a last-gasp winner, Raheem Sterling scored for Manchester City against Bournemouth in stoppage time. However, replays showed that Sergio Agüero may have been in an offside position in the buildup. Without VAR at the time, the decision was allowed to stand, sparking debates over offside rulings.
The Phantom Goal vs. Watford (2008)
This surreal moment occurred when Reading were awarded a goal in a match against Watford, despite the ball hitting the side netting and never crossing the goal line. The referee, Stuart Attwell, awarded the goal, leading to calls for goal-line technology, which was later introduced in part due to incidents like this.
David Luiz Red Card Controversy vs. Wolves (2021)
Arsenal’s David Luiz was controversially sent off against Wolves after he was deemed to have fouled Willian José inside the box. Replays suggested Luiz made minimal or no contact with the striker, sparking outrage at the decision. Wolves went on to win the match, but many felt the red card was unjust.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Disallowed Goal vs. Newcastle (2022)
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored against Newcastle after taking the ball from the goalkeeper following what he believed was a free-kick. However, the referee disallowed the goal, ruling that the ball was still live. Ronaldo and Manchester United were left fuming by the confusion and decision.
Declan Rice’ controversial second yellow card vs Brighton (2024)
The Arsenal str was dismissed by referee Chris Kavanagh at the Emirates Stadium for appearing to kick the ball away from Brighton defender Joel Veltman, and the English midfielder was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, damaging the Gunners chances of finally beating City to the title.
Referee Chris Kavanagh 'didn't like' showing Declan Rice a red card for kicking the ball away during Arsenal's draw vs. Brighton 👀 pic.twitter.com/GDhrSXyYwF
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 18, 2024
Sadio Mane’s Red Card vs. Manchester City (2017)
Sadio Mane was sent off for a high challenge on Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson during a Premier League match. Although Mane’s foot was high and caught Ederson in the face, many felt the red card was harsh, especially given the intent was to win the ball. The decision changed the dynamics of the game, which City went on to win 5-0.
These moments continue to spark debate long after they happened, showcasing the intense scrutiny and pressure referees face in the Premier League. Some of these controversial calls have led to rule changes and the introduction of technology like VAR, though controversy remains an integral part of football.
