Manchester United to File Formal Complaint Over 'Baffling' Penalty Calls
Manchester United are set to lodge a formal complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following a series of contentious officiating decisions in their recent Premier League match. The club's frustration stems from a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Friday, where they believe key penalty calls were mishandled, impacting the outcome of the game.
Controversial Incidents at Bournemouth
United were left aggrieved after a penalty appeal was denied in the second half when Amad Diallo was pulled by Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert. Instead of awarding a spot kick, referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue, leading to a counter-attack where Ryan Christie equalised for the home side. Manager Michael Carrick described the decision as "astonishing" and "baffling," emphasising that it involved a "two-handed grab" on Diallo.
Carrick further highlighted the inconsistency in officiating, noting that United were awarded one penalty earlier in the match—when Alex Jimenez fouled Matheus Cunha, resulting in Bruno Fernandes scoring—but not another for a similar incident. He called this disparity "crazy" and argued that both situations were "the same thing," yet treated differently by the officials.
Additional Grievances and Season-Long Concerns
The club's complaints extend beyond this single match. United are also upset about the suspension of defender Harry Maguire, who was sent off for pulling back Evanilson, conceding a penalty that Junior Kroupi converted to secure a point for Bournemouth. Maguire will now miss the next match against Leeds due to this red card.
Moreover, United expressed annoyance over the timekeeping in the game, particularly the addition of nine minutes of stoppage time when they were down to 10 men. This has been part of a broader pattern of concerns about officiating this season, with the club believing a series of decisions have consistently gone against them.
Historical Context of Officiating Issues
United point to several other incidents this season that they view as costly errors:
- In a September defeat to Brentford, Nathan Collins avoided a red card despite a controversial challenge.
- They were denied a penalty at Wolves for an apparent handball by Emmanuel Agbadou.
- A goal by Lisandro Martinez against Burnley was disallowed by Stuart Attwell, a decision later deemed a mistake by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel.
These cumulative events have led United to question the reliability of VAR and overall officiating standards, prompting their decision to file a formal complaint. The club hopes this action will address what they see as systemic issues affecting fair play in the Premier League.
