Alan Shearer sends PGMOL X-rated message after controversial Man City and Man United decisions

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer slams the PGMOL with X-rated message -Credit:BBC


Alan Shearer has vented his frustration on social media after numerous refereeing decisions overshadowed a brilliant weekend of football.

On Saturday, Chelsea were denied a penalty against Manchester City after Cole Palmer's free-kick struck the arm of Jack Grealish. Then, the following afternoon in the other FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, Coventry City were awarded a spot-kick for an identical incident involving Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The Championship outfit were also denied a stoppage-time winning goal against Manchester United after Haji Wright was controversially adjudged to be offside by the Video Assistant Referee. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest were denied three penalties against Everton.

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Following the Toffees' 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, Forest published an eye-opening statement on social media. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the club wrote: "Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.

"We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options."

With the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) stealing the limelight once more, Shearer vented his frustration on X. The former Newcastle United striker wrote: "Pens given for hand ball pens not given for hand ball. The refs have an impossible job because the law is an absolute s*** show. Natural/unnatural. Proximity. Speed. What a mess."

In a column for the MailOnline, Mark Clattenburg slammed Anthony Taylor and the PGMOL, who are headed by Howard Webb, for the 'hat-trick of howlers' in Merseyside this weekend. The former Premier League referee said: "One of these errors would have been bad enough.

"Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way."

Clattenburg added: "These situations were precisely why video technology was brought into the Premier League and yet, Attwell did not send Taylor to his monitor. Not once. It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight.

"You will have seen the statement released by the club — how the PGMOL were contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan such as Attwell to play such a pivotal role in a massive match that would impact the relegation race.

"Certainly, I would not have risked this situation if I were the head of the referees and all of this could have been avoided had the PGMOL simply made smarter appointments. Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch. Why Attwell did not send Taylor to his screen, only he will know."