Aston Villa have made a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a controversial decision by official Thomas Bramall during their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. This result has subsequently cost them a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
With the match goalless and Villa down to ten men after Emiliano Martinez was dismissed, Morgan Rodgers thought he put his side ahead with 17 minutes to go.
Rodgers dispossessed Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as he attempted to gather the ball and slotted into an empty net.
But before the ball hit the back of the net, Bramall blew for a foul on the keeper, believing Bayindir had two hands on he ball, though the replays later disproved this.
Due to the timing of the referees whistle, VAR couldn’t intervene with the decision.
Not long after, Amad Diallo put the home side ahead with a crisp header, before Christian Eriksen ensured the three points for the Red Devils with a late penalty, condemning Villa to the Europa League.
Aston Villa released a statement soon after full-time, complaining about the officials’ selection process, stating that the inexperienced Bramall shouldn’t have been officiating such an important game.
The statement read: “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 second least experienced.”
They added: “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.”
Bramall’s first taste of Premier League refereeing came in August 2022, and this season, he has refereed 11 top-flight games and 12 Championship fixtures.
The decision would have also cost Villa a significant sum of money and as they still owe more than £150 million from previous signings, their hands may be tied as to how much business they can now do over the summer.
