Antonee Robinson has hit out at refereeing standards in the Premier League, after PGMOL acknowledged a VAR error during Chelsea vs Fulham.
Josh King’s first-half strike was ruled out after referee Rob Jones was instructed by Michael Salisbury to review footage of Rodrigo Muniz’s contact with Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up. The decision caused huge controversy, with Marco Silva labelling it “unbelievable”, while Mike Dean described the call as “poor”.
Writing on his Instagram story, Robinson wrote: “If they can check something for five minutes and still get it wrong, then what’s actually the point?
“Standard of officiating has been shocking in the Prem for too long now.”
Robinson came off the bench at Stamford Bridge as Fulham suffered a 2-0 loss.
Both the PGMOL and Premier League declined to comment when approached by Sky Sports News.
Salisbury stood down after error
Salisbury, the VAR at Stamford Bridge, was stood down from his involvement in Sunday’s Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal following the incident.
Sky Sports News understands the decision during the Fulham game was not in line with the principle of ‘referee’s call’, and did not meet the high bar required for intervention, which should only be for clear and obvious errors.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacted Fulham on Saturday, and a decision was taken then to replace Salisbury with John Brooks for Sunday’s game at Anfield.
Fulham declined to comment after they were approached by Sky Sports News.
Mike Dean and the Soccer Saturday studio are stunned as Fulham’s goal against Chelsea is overturned by VAR for a foul committed by Rodrigo Muniz
‘Poor, poor call’ – how managers and pundits reacted
“Unbelievable decision, unbelievable,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva in his post-match press conference. “I am not in the best mood to [talk about it] but it was unbelievable how the goal was disallowed.”
When asked if he had spoken to the referee after full-time about the decision to disallow the goal, Silva added: “No, I did not speak with him. I spoke with him at half-time to try to understand why the goal was disallowed.
“I would love to explain many things. The first goal – eight minutes extra time. After the first corner it was already nine minutes. It is time to stop the game. That is the rules.
“I asked the referee and he said because we lost time. But I checked the eight minutes. The game didn’t stop.
“It’s very difficult. I make mistakes, the referee makes mistakes, but when it is black or white, we cannot see something that is not there.”
Kaveh Solhekol explains why VAR official Michael Salisbury has been stood down from VAR duty for the Liverpool vs Arsenal game, after making an error in Fulham’s loss at Chelsea
Speaking on Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean questioned the intervention of VAR.
“I do not think it is a foul, it should stand. I do not know where else the attacker can put his foot. He has taken a long time over this Rob [Jones].
“Rob has been sucked in by the VAR [Michael Salisbury], he has just landed on his foot, which can only go in one place, it is a poor, poor call.
“The VAR should just stay out of it, it is not clear and obvious error, but he did not have the nerve to stick with the on-field decision, he panicked, it is just not a foul at all. I do not know anybody who would say that was a foul.”
However, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said it was “clear” that Muniz fouled Chalobah in the build-up to King’s disallowed goal, with the penalty also the correct decision in his view.
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea’s match against Fulham in the Premier League
Speaking in his press conference after the game, Maresca said: “I review both actions. From my point of view, their player kicked our player and then the second one, it is handball.
“It is quite clear that it is a foul. I am very happy in general, today I was not happy after the first half. We didn’t play on the ball and were not good enough in duels.”
What’s coming up in the Premier League?
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Red Bull favourite Hadjar open to ‘way easier’ 2026 move
Isack Hadjar believes it would be "way easier" to step up to Red Bull's senior team for the start of F1's rules revolution in 2026 than has been the case, as speculation intensifies that he is in line for promotion next season.The 20-year-old Frenchman's already-impressive rookie F1 season at Racing Bulls took a further high-profile step forward at last week's Dutch Grand Prix when he claimed a maiden podium finish in third, becoming just the fourth driver in the junior team's 19-year history to finish a race in the top three. With Yuki Tsunoda, who finished ninth at Zandvoort, continuing to face an uncertain future as Max Verstappen's team-mate, Hadjar is clearly the alternative candidate were Red Bull to make a change ahead of a 2026 season when F1's chassis and engine regulations are being completely overhauled.And while Tsunoda has […]
Red Bull favourite Hadjar open to ‘way easier’ 2026 move
Isack Hadjar believes it would be "way easier" to step up to Red Bull's senior team for the start of F1's rules revolution in 2026 than has been the case, as speculation intensifies that he is in line for promotion next season.The 20-year-old Frenchman's already-impressive rookie F1 season at Racing Bulls took a further high-profile step forward at last week's Dutch Grand Prix when he claimed a maiden podium finish in third, becoming just the fourth driver in the junior team's 19-year history to finish a race in the top three. With Yuki Tsunoda, who finished ninth at Zandvoort, continuing to face an uncertain future as Max Verstappen's team-mate, Hadjar is clearly the alternative candidate were Red Bull to make a change ahead of a 2026 season when F1's chassis and engine regulations are being completely overhauled.And while Tsunoda has […]
Clubs contact Forest for further details after legal victory against FA
A number of Premier League teams have contacted Nottingham Forest for more details about their legal victory over the FA after the club successfully claimed that an appeals panel decision had been biased against them, Sky Sports News has been told.The legal ruling is likely to earn Forest hundreds of thousands of pounds from the FA in compensation, after the barrister appointed to hear the club's appeal said in his formal summing up that Forest had made a "somewhat hysterical submission". Sky Sports News understands other clubs want to understand Forest's legal argument better, in case they wish to challenge the FA's disciplinary procedures in the future.There has been no comment from the FA.The issue dates back to April 2024, when Forest faced disciplinary proceedings after posting on X that, in advance of their 2-0 defeat to Everton, the club […]