As fans grapple with losing control of the sport they cherish to ultra-wealthy owners, they inevitably redirect their frustrations toward a familiar opponent: the officials.
Over the weekend, contentious discussions around VAR and refereeing resurfaced. During a match at Bournemouth, Arsenal supporters accused referee Robert Jones of being “a cheat” and chanted about the Premier League’s supposed “corruption.” The uproar on social media only intensified. While fans have always had grievances regarding referees, their traditional labels of “blind” or “wankers” have escalated to accusations of systemic corruption—an unfortunate evolution reflected in today’s sporting culture.
This transformation may be indicative of a broader societal trend driven by populist cynics, from figures like José Mourinho to Donald Trump. Social media magnifies conspiracy theories, flourishing in the uncertainties that have lingered as we navigate the post-Covid world. Yet, we must consider a deeper dynamic at play.
However, it’s essential to emphasize that the key refereeing decisions made during the weekend’s matches among top teams were not egregiously flawed or inexplicable. For instance, William Saliba’s red card in Arsenal’s loss at Bournemouth was a clear call; he intentionally pulled back Evanilson when the latter was well-positioned to capitalize on a pass. With Ben White far off, a VAR intervention was justified.
Contrasting that, the nature of the foul by Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo on Diogo Jota during their game at Liverpool varied significantly. Jota was chasing a much faster-moving ball, while Levi Colwill was moments away from intercepting. Therefore, it was more than reasonable to consider Evanilson’s chance at goal denied, whereas Jota’s situation was not comparable.
Bournemouth’s awarded penalty was straightforward, as David Raya tripped Evanilson. Even Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta—known for his vocal criticisms of officiating—couldn’t muster a complaint, though he stopped short of fully endorsing the decisions’ validity.
Arsenal fans’ conspiracy theory suggested that VAR official Jarred Gillett, an Australian, had bias stemming from his childhood Liverpool fandom, leading to him never officiating a Liverpool match in the Premier League. As a result, Saliba will now miss Arsenal’s clash against Liverpool. Yet, beyond the naiveté of suggesting professional officials can’t maintain objectivity, the core reality remains: the decision made was correct.
While Saliba’s suspension indirectly benefited Liverpool, they faced two controversial VAR decisions at Anfield that went against them. Not only was Adarabioyo not sent off, but a penalty was also overturned when Robert Sánchez appeared to just graze the ball before Curtis Jones fell over him. The call was undoubtedly subjective and while critics may debate the involvement of VAR, it’s hard to assert the decision was definitively wrong.
Similarly, Manchester City’s last-minute goal against Wolves fell into a gray area as well. One could argue that Bernardo Silva was close enough to the Wolves keeper, José Sa, during John Stones’s header to be considered an interference. Silva had actually bumped into Sa on a corner, and the close proximity raised eyebrows. However, since the header wasn’t aimed directly at Silva, it’s understandable why the goal stood.
In the realm of intense fan allegiance today, there’s little space for nuanced discussions about officiating; incompetence is framed as part of some sinister agenda. The reasons for this shift aren’t easily delineated, but here’s a perspective: fans are acutely aware that the integrity of the game is at stake. Mega-rich owners, with potentially devastating legal tactics, threaten the very fabric of competitions. The current generation of owners appears indifferent to traditional fan culture, favoring casual spectators who treat matches as mere entertainment outings, replete with expensive merchandise and overpriced stadium fare.
Owners are prioritizing profits over fans and reshaping a sport that has thrived within communities for over 150 years. This distressing reality can be too much to bear. In their powerlessness, many fans instinctively redirect their anger toward the referees, the most familiar target in their discontent.
This insight is part of “Soccer with Jonathan Wilson,” a weekly exploration on the state of the game in Europe and beyond. If you have a question for Jonathan, you can reach him at [email protected], and he’ll address the most compelling inquiries in a future edition.
