Aston Villa lodge Premier League complaint over referee selection after disallowed Morgan Rogers goal

Aston Villa have complained to the Premier League about the selection of inexperienced referee Thomas Bramall to referee the game that cost them Champions League football.

Villa manager Unai Emery said Bramall admitted making a mistake when disallowing a Morgan Rogers goal at 0-0, before they went on to lose 2-0 to Manchester United and finish sixth.

Bramall had blown his whistle, thinking Rogers had fouled United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, before his shot crossed the line, meaning VAR could not overturn his decision.

Villa captain John McGinn called it “an incredible decision” and Emery added: “I spoke with the referee and he knows his mistake.”

The 35-year-old Bramall is in his third year as a Premier League official and Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany said they felt a more experienced official should have been appointed to a game of such importance.

He said: “The complaint is not about the decision. The complaint is about the selection of the referees. One of the most inexperienced referees for one of the most difficult matches of the season involving another four or five teams.

“It's not about the decision. The decision is clear. It's a mistake. The referee apologised for the mistake. We can do nothing. The problem is why the experienced international referees were not here today.”

A statement released by Villa later on Sunday read: “Aston Villa can confirm the club has written to the PGMOL to raise concerns over the selection process of match officials following today’s game with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“With such high stakes surrounding today’s fixture, the club believe a more experienced referee should have been appointed. Of the 10 referees to officiate across the Premier League today, Mr. Bramall was the 2nd least experienced.

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“The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers' goal, which would have given the club a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the match, was a major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League.

“As per the standards that have been established over the course of the season, a decision to whistle early is clearly inconsistent with current refereeing guidelines. VAR exists to ensure that these types of situations receive the scrutiny they deserve. Unfortunately, the technology was not allowed to serve its purpose.

“Ultimately, we acknowledge that the outcome for us will not change, but we believe that it is important to address the selection methodology to ensure that high stakes matches are treated as such with regards to officiating and to ensure that the implemented VAR technology is allowed to be effective.”

PGMOL appoint the officials and chose Bramall, who had also been in charge for Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Tottenham last month and who sent off Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the first half.

Emery felt Rogers' disallowed goal was the turning point, adding: “Today we can speak about the season, we can speak about the night we played today and we can speak about the key moments. And the key moments of course was the goal of Morgan Rogers and how the referee in that moment decided this action. He whistled and of course he needed to have it under his control, waiting for VAR because VAR is coming for him. I spoke with the referee and the referee knows his mistakes.

“I make mistakes every day, I made mistakes as well and the players are making mistakes on the field and sometimes the referee. Of course we have to accept the mistakes, I believe in VAR and I think we have very good referees in the Premier League sometimes, making mistakes.”