Premier League ban VAR official involved in Brighton error

Premier League ban VAR official involved in Brighton error

Ayoola Kelechi 18:19 - 11.04.2023

The Premier League have suspended referee Michael Salisbury after his error caused the PGMOL to issue an apology to Brighton

The Premier League have suspended referee Michael Salisbury, who was in charge of the VAR room during Brighton’s controversial 2-1 loss to Tottenham in Gameweek 30. 

PGMOL suspend referee after having to apologise to Brighton

PGMOL had to apologise to the Seagulls for Salisbury’s poor judgment after he failed to spot an obvious foul on Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma by Tottenham midfielder Pierre Emille Hojbjerg. 

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Brighton also had two goals ruled out for questionable offside calls, which were given more consideration by those in the VAR room than the penalty incident, causing further irritation on the club’s path. 

Refereeing error costs Brighton precious points

Brighton ended up losing the match, as English goal-machine Harry Kane scored a late goal to seal and fans of the Premier League were critical of the decision that cost them the game, calling for stiff measures to be taken against the officials who also failed to spot a foul on Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk in the same game. 

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In response to the outcry, the Premier have taken Salisbury off from the next round of fixtures and the referee will not be in charge of any games in game week 31. 

Meanwhile in other stories to come out of Gameweek 30, 

Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew, and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale all starred in PulseSports’ Team of the Week after impressive performances all round. 

Round 30 of the 2022/23 Premier League season produced drama as Manchester City closed the gap to Arsenal in the title race after the Gunners dropped points against Liverpool and Frank Lampard's second coming ended in defeat for Chelsea.

But beyond the general storylines, here are the top-performing individuals of matchday 30 in the Premier League.

The half-man half-robot who has now equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 44 goals in his first Ballon d’Or winning season, and leads the team with yet another productive game week for him, this time a brace in Manchester City’s 4-1 win away at Southampton.

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