Keith Hackett, ex-PGMOL chief and former Premier League referee, has delivered his assessment on the highly controversial incident that overshadowed Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. Villa have filed a complaint with referees’ body PMGOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) after official Thomas Bramall ruled out Morgan Rogers’ second-half goal with the scores still equal at 0-0.
Villa had been reduced to ten men earlier in the game after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez collided with Rasmus Hojlund outside the box near the conclusion of the first half. Despite their one-man deficit, Unai Emery’s team thought they had grabbed the lead in the 73rd minute when United custodian Altay Bayindir spilt the ball, allowing Rodgers to score an unguarded goal. Watch the incident below.
Bramall, in charge of his 11th Premier League match this season, blew his whistle before Rogers scored, therefore the incident could not be reviewed by VAR. “The referee’s call was a free kick to Manchester United with Bayindir deemed to be in control of the ball before Rogers gained possession,” the Premier League said on Tuesday. “The whistle was blown by the referee before the ball entered the goal, therefore the incident was not reviewable by the VAR.”
Amad Diallo then added salt to Villa’s wounds by putting 15th-placed Manchester United up 1-0 in the 76th minute, before Christian Eriksen sealed all three points for the hosts at Old Trafford with an 87th-minute penalty. As a result, Villa finished sixth in the Premier League table in 2024-25, missing out on the Champions League berths.
Premier League 2024-25: Final Standings
Position
Club
Played
Points
GD
1st.
Liverpool
38
84
+45
2nd.
Arsenal
38
74
+35
3rd.
Manchester City
38
71
+28
4th.
Chelsea
38
69
+21
5th.
Newcastle
38
66
+21
6th.
Aston Villa
38
66
+7
Aston Villa’s Release Statement
Confirm that they have contacted the PGMOL.
“Aston Villa can confirm the club has written to the PGMOL to raise concerns over the selection process of match officials following today’s match with Manchester United at Old Trafford,” Villa stated in a statement issued on Twitter. “With the high stakes of today’s game, the club believes a more experienced referee should have been assigned. Mr. Bramall was the second least experienced referee among the ten that officiated in the Premier League today.
“The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers’ goal, which would have given the team a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the match, played a significant role in the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
“According to the standards established over the season, deciding to whistle early is clearly contradictory with existing refereeing guidelines. VAR exists to ensure that these types of events receive the attention they require. Unfortunately, the technology was not allowed to fulfil its intended 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.”
Keith Hackett’s Verdict
Former referee claims ‘howler’ committed by Bramall
Former FIFA referee Hackett, 80, has issued his verdict on the incident. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, he stated: “The custodian has no control over the ball. It’s loose, and the forward’s movements are not risky.
“The referee at that point committed a howler by blowing to stop play.”
Hackett continued, “He should have waited [for] the outcome, and once the goal was scored, the situation could be reviewed by the VAR.” Looking at the video, the goal should have been allowed to stand. “The referee made a huge error.”
Hackett’s assessment that Bramall committed a “howler” will strengthen Villa’s case that they were the victims of a decision that could have cost them Champions League football – and the huge riches that would have come with a second consecutive season in Europe’s premier club cup competition.
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