PGMOL Watch
@pgmol-watch.bsky.social
📊 Data-driven Premier League analyses of PGMOL's referees.
⚽️ Former Serie A player living in the UK.
💯 All views are my own and my schedule is totally random.
⚽️ Former Serie A player living in the UK.
💯 All views are my own and my schedule is totally random.
[6/7] During the last few seconds of the game, some argue that Roefs held the ball for more than 8 seconds and a corner to Arsenal should have been awarded.
Well, no.
Roefs makes contact with the ball while jumping to get it, so he's not "in full control" yet; the countdown only starts later.
Well, no.
Roefs makes contact with the ball while jumping to get it, so he's not "in full control" yet; the countdown only starts later.
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
[6/7] During the last few seconds of the game, some argue that Roefs held the ball for more than 8 seconds and a corner to Arsenal should have been awarded.
Well, no.
Roefs makes contact with the ball while jumping to get it, so he's not "in full control" yet; the countdown only starts later.
Well, no.
Roefs makes contact with the ball while jumping to get it, so he's not "in full control" yet; the countdown only starts later.
[2/7] The penalty is a particularly baffling one, because it wasn't even reviewed by VAR (James Bell).
In this frame before the contact, Ballard is clearly raising his arm to impede Merino and not as part of his action to jump.
Merino stayed down for 4 minutes, but no one thought to review it.
In this frame before the contact, Ballard is clearly raising his arm to impede Merino and not as part of his action to jump.
Merino stayed down for 4 minutes, but no one thought to review it.
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
[2/7] The penalty is a particularly baffling one, because it wasn't even reviewed by VAR (James Bell).
In this frame before the contact, Ballard is clearly raising his arm to impede Merino and not as part of his action to jump.
Merino stayed down for 4 minutes, but no one thought to review it.
In this frame before the contact, Ballard is clearly raising his arm to impede Merino and not as part of his action to jump.
Merino stayed down for 4 minutes, but no one thought to review it.
Still very surprised by Newcastle's big jumps between tackles, fouls and yellow cards, but there are others to note as well:
- 5 teams with low fouls/tackle ratio
- Fulham, high fouls/tackle
- Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal, low cards/foul
- Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland, high fouls/yellow
🤔
- 5 teams with low fouls/tackle ratio
- Fulham, high fouls/tackle
- Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal, low cards/foul
- Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland, high fouls/yellow
🤔
November 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Still very surprised by Newcastle's big jumps between tackles, fouls and yellow cards, but there are others to note as well:
- 5 teams with low fouls/tackle ratio
- Fulham, high fouls/tackle
- Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal, low cards/foul
- Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland, high fouls/yellow
🤔
- 5 teams with low fouls/tackle ratio
- Fulham, high fouls/tackle
- Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal, low cards/foul
- Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland, high fouls/yellow
🤔
Often, when you are at the bottom of the table, you are more nervous, commit more fouls and get more cards.
Not the case for Burnley so far this season.
Only the Manchester clubs and Sunderland have committed fewer fouls and they ended 3 games without receiving a yellow (Arsenal tops that with 4)
Not the case for Burnley so far this season.
Only the Manchester clubs and Sunderland have committed fewer fouls and they ended 3 games without receiving a yellow (Arsenal tops that with 4)
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Often, when you are at the bottom of the table, you are more nervous, commit more fouls and get more cards.
Not the case for Burnley so far this season.
Only the Manchester clubs and Sunderland have committed fewer fouls and they ended 3 games without receiving a yellow (Arsenal tops that with 4)
Not the case for Burnley so far this season.
Only the Manchester clubs and Sunderland have committed fewer fouls and they ended 3 games without receiving a yellow (Arsenal tops that with 4)
Looking at the last 10 years, the data shows that this season is "back to normal" after the cards-galore of the past 2.
Laws regarding cautions haven't changed much, so either players were possessed by evil forces last year or the refs were given specific instructions.
[1/2]
Laws regarding cautions haven't changed much, so either players were possessed by evil forces last year or the refs were given specific instructions.
[1/2]
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Looking at the last 10 years, the data shows that this season is "back to normal" after the cards-galore of the past 2.
Laws regarding cautions haven't changed much, so either players were possessed by evil forces last year or the refs were given specific instructions.
[1/2]
Laws regarding cautions haven't changed much, so either players were possessed by evil forces last year or the refs were given specific instructions.
[1/2]
The UEFA competitions are on, and I can't help but notice the heavy workload for Stuart Atwell. He is busy on all competitions, from tonight until Thursday, and he is appointed to 2 matches this weekend:
- #EVEFUL as VAR
- #BRENEW as Ref, the last of 5 games in 6 days, with less than 24h rest
🥵🥵🥵
- #EVEFUL as VAR
- #BRENEW as Ref, the last of 5 games in 6 days, with less than 24h rest
🥵🥵🥵
November 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This weekend, I will test some automation here.
I should share the PL Match Centre tweets as they're published (for live VAR decisions), then have OpenAI post the relevant Law of the Game for a quick review.
I will still do my personal review of the incidents, but I want to see how this works.
I should share the PL Match Centre tweets as they're published (for live VAR decisions), then have OpenAI post the relevant Law of the Game for a quick review.
I will still do my personal review of the incidents, but I want to see how this works.
November 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This weekend, I will test some automation here.
I should share the PL Match Centre tweets as they're published (for live VAR decisions), then have OpenAI post the relevant Law of the Game for a quick review.
I will still do my personal review of the incidents, but I want to see how this works.
I should share the PL Match Centre tweets as they're published (for live VAR decisions), then have OpenAI post the relevant Law of the Game for a quick review.
I will still do my personal review of the incidents, but I want to see how this works.
In #TOTCHE, much discussion went around Spence's shoe...
There is no Law requiring the game to be halted when a player loses a shoe in the Premier League.
However, referees can decide to stop play if the situation poses a safety risk (if a player without a shoe is in the middle of a challenge).
There is no Law requiring the game to be halted when a player loses a shoe in the Premier League.
However, referees can decide to stop play if the situation poses a safety risk (if a player without a shoe is in the middle of a challenge).
November 4, 2025 at 10:58 AM
In #TOTCHE, much discussion went around Spence's shoe...
There is no Law requiring the game to be halted when a player loses a shoe in the Premier League.
However, referees can decide to stop play if the situation poses a safety risk (if a player without a shoe is in the middle of a challenge).
There is no Law requiring the game to be halted when a player loses a shoe in the Premier League.
However, referees can decide to stop play if the situation poses a safety risk (if a player without a shoe is in the middle of a challenge).
One incident that left a very bitter aftertaste happened in #WHUNEW... Not because the penalty decision was overturned (correctly), but because it took more than 5 minutes to reach a very obvious conclusion.
More of a rant than an analysis, but VAR sometimes sucks all the joy out of football 🤦
More of a rant than an analysis, but VAR sometimes sucks all the joy out of football 🤦
November 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
One incident that left a very bitter aftertaste happened in #WHUNEW... Not because the penalty decision was overturned (correctly), but because it took more than 5 minutes to reach a very obvious conclusion.
More of a rant than an analysis, but VAR sometimes sucks all the joy out of football 🤦
More of a rant than an analysis, but VAR sometimes sucks all the joy out of football 🤦
There is no doubt that the corner decision that led to Casemiro's goal in #NFOMUN was incorrect (one more error to add to Darren England's horrendous season).
He wasn't helped by the assistant, who was on the opposite side and couldn't see.
Merely for context, I'm sharing the specifics of Law9
He wasn't helped by the assistant, who was on the opposite side and couldn't see.
Merely for context, I'm sharing the specifics of Law9
November 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM
There is no doubt that the corner decision that led to Casemiro's goal in #NFOMUN was incorrect (one more error to add to Darren England's horrendous season).
He wasn't helped by the assistant, who was on the opposite side and couldn't see.
Merely for context, I'm sharing the specifics of Law9
He wasn't helped by the assistant, who was on the opposite side and couldn't see.
Merely for context, I'm sharing the specifics of Law9
On discipline...
Arsenal and Everton have committed almost the same number of fouls (102 and 106), but EVE must be evil because they received the 2nd most yellows (24, BOU tops it with 25) while ARS the fewest (10).
So the fouls/card ratio is
ARS 10.2
EVE 4.4
-
avg is 6.4
top NEW 10.6 (117 fouls)
Arsenal and Everton have committed almost the same number of fouls (102 and 106), but EVE must be evil because they received the 2nd most yellows (24, BOU tops it with 25) while ARS the fewest (10).
So the fouls/card ratio is
ARS 10.2
EVE 4.4
-
avg is 6.4
top NEW 10.6 (117 fouls)
November 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
On discipline...
Arsenal and Everton have committed almost the same number of fouls (102 and 106), but EVE must be evil because they received the 2nd most yellows (24, BOU tops it with 25) while ARS the fewest (10).
So the fouls/card ratio is
ARS 10.2
EVE 4.4
-
avg is 6.4
top NEW 10.6 (117 fouls)
Arsenal and Everton have committed almost the same number of fouls (102 and 106), but EVE must be evil because they received the 2nd most yellows (24, BOU tops it with 25) while ARS the fewest (10).
So the fouls/card ratio is
ARS 10.2
EVE 4.4
-
avg is 6.4
top NEW 10.6 (117 fouls)
[3/4]
- For #MCILIV, Kavanagh from Manchester is the referee (he's also part of the Manchester FA, training in the City complex every week). Also, Oliver is at VAR, 3 weeks after the MacAllister incident (and let's not forget his money ties with City and the data that backs his alleged favouritism)
- For #MCILIV, Kavanagh from Manchester is the referee (he's also part of the Manchester FA, training in the City complex every week). Also, Oliver is at VAR, 3 weeks after the MacAllister incident (and let's not forget his money ties with City and the data that backs his alleged favouritism)
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 AM
[3/4]
- For #MCILIV, Kavanagh from Manchester is the referee (he's also part of the Manchester FA, training in the City complex every week). Also, Oliver is at VAR, 3 weeks after the MacAllister incident (and let's not forget his money ties with City and the data that backs his alleged favouritism)
- For #MCILIV, Kavanagh from Manchester is the referee (he's also part of the Manchester FA, training in the City complex every week). Also, Oliver is at VAR, 3 weeks after the MacAllister incident (and let's not forget his money ties with City and the data that backs his alleged favouritism)
I keep trying to make sense of the decline, and now absence, of London-based refs in the Premier League.
It's statistically baffling that, given the number of residents, no Londoners reach the highest level of officiating.
While searching for answers, I looked at the other major leagues... [1/6]
It's statistically baffling that, given the number of residents, no Londoners reach the highest level of officiating.
While searching for answers, I looked at the other major leagues... [1/6]
October 31, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I keep trying to make sense of the decline, and now absence, of London-based refs in the Premier League.
It's statistically baffling that, given the number of residents, no Londoners reach the highest level of officiating.
While searching for answers, I looked at the other major leagues... [1/6]
It's statistically baffling that, given the number of residents, no Londoners reach the highest level of officiating.
While searching for answers, I looked at the other major leagues... [1/6]
[7/7] And you may remember that Joelinton applauded Gillett after being booked in the recent #NEWARS, but was not sent off despite this being the obvious outcome by the Letter of the Law.
So, why does it look like Newcastle regularly benefit from a special positive treatment?
So, why does it look like Newcastle regularly benefit from a special positive treatment?
October 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
[7/7] And you may remember that Joelinton applauded Gillett after being booked in the recent #NEWARS, but was not sent off despite this being the obvious outcome by the Letter of the Law.
So, why does it look like Newcastle regularly benefit from a special positive treatment?
So, why does it look like Newcastle regularly benefit from a special positive treatment?
[6/7] This happened last season as well, so there is a pattern.
But Joelinton isn't even the 'dirtiest', because Bruno Guimaraes has committed twice as many fouls and only received 2 yellow cards (same as Joelinton).
Again, similar to last season, as I shared already in my chart:
But Joelinton isn't even the 'dirtiest', because Bruno Guimaraes has committed twice as many fouls and only received 2 yellow cards (same as Joelinton).
Again, similar to last season, as I shared already in my chart:
October 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
[6/7] This happened last season as well, so there is a pattern.
But Joelinton isn't even the 'dirtiest', because Bruno Guimaraes has committed twice as many fouls and only received 2 yellow cards (same as Joelinton).
Again, similar to last season, as I shared already in my chart:
But Joelinton isn't even the 'dirtiest', because Bruno Guimaraes has committed twice as many fouls and only received 2 yellow cards (same as Joelinton).
Again, similar to last season, as I shared already in my chart:
My focus is on the Premier League, but I suppose I can post about #NEWTOT last night...
Joelinton came from behind Kudus with a high challenge, catching him near the ankle and sending him down. At full speed, the tackle appears reckless and dangerous, with little attempt to play the ball [1/7]
Joelinton came from behind Kudus with a high challenge, catching him near the ankle and sending him down. At full speed, the tackle appears reckless and dangerous, with little attempt to play the ball [1/7]
October 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
My focus is on the Premier League, but I suppose I can post about #NEWTOT last night...
Joelinton came from behind Kudus with a high challenge, catching him near the ankle and sending him down. At full speed, the tackle appears reckless and dangerous, with little attempt to play the ball [1/7]
Joelinton came from behind Kudus with a high challenge, catching him near the ankle and sending him down. At full speed, the tackle appears reckless and dangerous, with little attempt to play the ball [1/7]
Going into Matchweek 10, there is only one official in Select Group 1 who has failed to feature in any game, even in the lower leagues: Darren Bond.
There are no public statements from PGMOL or major football media addressing an injury, suspension, or other disciplinary action as of today.
There are no public statements from PGMOL or major football media addressing an injury, suspension, or other disciplinary action as of today.
October 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Going into Matchweek 10, there is only one official in Select Group 1 who has failed to feature in any game, even in the lower leagues: Darren Bond.
There are no public statements from PGMOL or major football media addressing an injury, suspension, or other disciplinary action as of today.
There are no public statements from PGMOL or major football media addressing an injury, suspension, or other disciplinary action as of today.
At the start of this season, there was a big fanfare about referees aiming to clamp down on holding and shirt-pulling.
So far, the only time it has happened is the VAR overturn in #FULMUN with a penalty awarded to United (Kavanagh/England).
Not sure Bankes/Brooks got the memo before #NEWFUL
So far, the only time it has happened is the VAR overturn in #FULMUN with a penalty awarded to United (Kavanagh/England).
Not sure Bankes/Brooks got the memo before #NEWFUL
October 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
In #NEWLIV, there were 13 minutes and 43 seconds of stoppage time in the second half, the most in a PL match this season. Despite the added time, the ball was in play for just 45 minutes and 55 seconds (42%).
So, for over 63 minutes of that game, nothing was happening. Sixty-three minutes!
So, for over 63 minutes of that game, nothing was happening. Sixty-three minutes!
October 29, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In #NEWLIV, there were 13 minutes and 43 seconds of stoppage time in the second half, the most in a PL match this season. Despite the added time, the ball was in play for just 45 minutes and 55 seconds (42%).
So, for over 63 minutes of that game, nothing was happening. Sixty-three minutes!
So, for over 63 minutes of that game, nothing was happening. Sixty-three minutes!
Speaking of IFAB, would it be so shocking to resubmit their proposal from over a decade ago to reduce the match length from 90' to 60' with a basketball-style "effective time" (stop the clock on breaks)?
The ball is in play for less than 60' anyway, and it would remove time-wasting entirely 👍
The ball is in play for less than 60' anyway, and it would remove time-wasting entirely 👍
October 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Speaking of IFAB, would it be so shocking to resubmit their proposal from over a decade ago to reduce the match length from 90' to 60' with a basketball-style "effective time" (stop the clock on breaks)?
The ball is in play for less than 60' anyway, and it would remove time-wasting entirely 👍
The ball is in play for less than 60' anyway, and it would remove time-wasting entirely 👍
New changes being discussed by the IFAB:
- VAR to intervene on second yellow cards
- time limits for throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks (similar to 8-sec rule for GK)
- discussions will also cover the offside law with updates on trials of the 'daylight' offside rule
www.theifab.com/news/advisor...
- VAR to intervene on second yellow cards
- time limits for throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks (similar to 8-sec rule for GK)
- discussions will also cover the offside law with updates on trials of the 'daylight' offside rule
www.theifab.com/news/advisor...
October 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
New changes being discussed by the IFAB:
- VAR to intervene on second yellow cards
- time limits for throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks (similar to 8-sec rule for GK)
- discussions will also cover the offside law with updates on trials of the 'daylight' offside rule
www.theifab.com/news/advisor...
- VAR to intervene on second yellow cards
- time limits for throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks (similar to 8-sec rule for GK)
- discussions will also cover the offside law with updates on trials of the 'daylight' offside rule
www.theifab.com/news/advisor...
Following up on my previous post, here is a timeline of football scandals.
If you thought they were rare, think again.
In my career, I have seen match-fixing and betting too frequently. They surface when it's too big a scandal, but there are people with gambling addiction in football.
[1/10]
If you thought they were rare, think again.
In my career, I have seen match-fixing and betting too frequently. They surface when it's too big a scandal, but there are people with gambling addiction in football.
[1/10]
October 29, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Following up on my previous post, here is a timeline of football scandals.
If you thought they were rare, think again.
In my career, I have seen match-fixing and betting too frequently. They surface when it's too big a scandal, but there are people with gambling addiction in football.
[1/10]
If you thought they were rare, think again.
In my career, I have seen match-fixing and betting too frequently. They surface when it's too big a scandal, but there are people with gambling addiction in football.
[1/10]
I don't have enough evidence on all PL matches, but I can give you his history with Everton, in all roles (ref, 4th, VAR), as it's in my spreadsheet:
That's all I have at this stage. Let me know if it's clear enough.
He is a Sheffield United fan; you tell me if there's history between the clubs.
That's all I have at this stage. Let me know if it's clear enough.
He is a Sheffield United fan; you tell me if there's history between the clubs.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I don't have enough evidence on all PL matches, but I can give you his history with Everton, in all roles (ref, 4th, VAR), as it's in my spreadsheet:
That's all I have at this stage. Let me know if it's clear enough.
He is a Sheffield United fan; you tell me if there's history between the clubs.
That's all I have at this stage. Let me know if it's clear enough.
He is a Sheffield United fan; you tell me if there's history between the clubs.
The guidance for the PL is to apply a slightly higher threshold compared to some European leagues: minor contact or presence in the GK's space generally does not result in a foul; there must be clear unlawful interference.
But I'm with you that this translates to more frustrating inconsistencies.
But I'm with you that this translates to more frustrating inconsistencies.
October 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The guidance for the PL is to apply a slightly higher threshold compared to some European leagues: minor contact or presence in the GK's space generally does not result in a foul; there must be clear unlawful interference.
But I'm with you that this translates to more frustrating inconsistencies.
But I'm with you that this translates to more frustrating inconsistencies.
I now have doubts over the entire data collection for the Premier League because of one event.
In #ARSCRY the official data says Palace had 1 shot on target. But then you dig deeper, and this is what happened.
Not a shot, let alone on target.
So, is the data that everyone uses really trustworthy?
In #ARSCRY the official data says Palace had 1 shot on target. But then you dig deeper, and this is what happened.
Not a shot, let alone on target.
So, is the data that everyone uses really trustworthy?
October 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I now have doubts over the entire data collection for the Premier League because of one event.
In #ARSCRY the official data says Palace had 1 shot on target. But then you dig deeper, and this is what happened.
Not a shot, let alone on target.
So, is the data that everyone uses really trustworthy?
In #ARSCRY the official data says Palace had 1 shot on target. But then you dig deeper, and this is what happened.
Not a shot, let alone on target.
So, is the data that everyone uses really trustworthy?