Chelsea v Tottenham Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Craig Pawson suspension calls
Craig Pawson was the focus of much ire as Tottenham lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
Pawson and VAR Jarred Gillett disallowed goals from either side as Ange Postecoglou suffered yet another defeat in what has been a disastrous Premier League campaign.
Enzo Fernandez’s goal was enough for Chelsea to take all three points, but Spurs felt as though they deserved at least a point when Pape Matar Sarr’s long-range effort found the back of the net.
However, after reviewing the inside, the Spurs midfielder was deemed to have fouled Moises Caicedo before his goal, and instead of being on the score sheet, he ended up in Pawson’s book.
Graham Roberts wants Pawson suspended after Tottenham controversy
Earlier in the game, VAR took four minutes to rule out a goal by Caicedo despite replays clearly showing he was in an offside position.
This led to ex-Spurs defender Graham Roberts calling for the PGMOL to suspend Pawson and Gillett for their performances.
Former PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett believes that stance is nonsense and that while Howard Webb can take that action, Roberts’ comments as a former player won’t lead to anything.
“There is no way that the football authorities will react to the comments of a former player,” Hackett told Tottenham News after seeing Roberts’ post.
| Chelsea | Tottenham | |
| Possession | 50% | 50% |
| Shots (on target) | 11 (5) | 8 (2) |
| Fouls | 7 | 16 |
| Corners | 4 | 6 |
“The club have channels of communication through The Football Association, The Premier League and of course the PGMOL.
“The managers of both teams, after the game, can review the referee’s performance and seek clarification on a decision or decisions thirty minutes after a game by entering the referees’ dressing room and having a one-to-one discussion.
“The Premier League appoint a match delegate to games and the manager, again, can express his views, which will be included in the report of the delegate.
Can referees be suspended by the PGMOL?
Hackett added: “A former player is treated on the same level as a fan unless they are a member of the Key Match Incident review panel, who look carefully at the big decisions and offer a report.
“It is within the power of Howard Webb to suspend an official, but remember referees are employees and therefore the PGMOL have to operate within the constraints of employment law.
“Referees are also members of Prospect Union, so would be consulted if any form of suspension was been considered.
“The PGMOL must demonstrate a duty of care towards their employees and offer support and advice.
“During my period in office, I did issue appropriate sanctions on match officials. This resulted in loss of employment, suspension and demotion.”