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Man Utd nonsense shows PGMOL have ruined football and it's time for clubs to revolt
Reach Daily Express | May 18, 2026 1:39 AM CST

If the PGMOL were in charge of England vs Argentina at the 1986 World Cup, they'd have probably let Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal stand, but disallowed his mazy dribble for a 'foul' in the build-up. The body responsible for training, managing, and appointing match officials is desperately trying to dig itself out of the mess it has created.

Manchester United's second goal during Sunday's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest is a prime example of this. There's no point chewing the fat with this one: it's handball, obviously.

The reaction of the United players was essentially an admission. Matheus Cunha, the eventual goalscorer, almost looked embarrassed to be wheeling away in celebration after sticking it in the back of the net. Bryan Mbeumo, the guilty party, sported the look of a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

The thousands watching the match from their television sets could see on first viewing that it was a handball offence. Instead, the PGMOL's insistence on making everything that should be simple as complicated as possible meant we were treated to a lengthy VAR check, which still rendered the incorrect decision.

Getting the decision wrong initially is one thing, and somewhat understandable. But being told you've got it wrong, watching evidence of you getting it wrong, then still doubling down on your wrong decision, is another.

It's clear the PGMOL has tied itself up in knots in pursuit of perfection, but football is a sport that will never deliver perfection, and that's the beauty of it. The Premier League's Match Centre stated the goal was allowed to stand because Mbeumo's handball was 'accidental'.

There's no denying that, but explain how a team can gain a material advantage from the accidental handball and score a goal that wouldn't have happened without it? Forest boss Vítor Pereira claimed the managers and players don't understand the laws anymore - a telltale sign that change needs to come this summer.

A frank conversation is needed because officiating in the Premier League is ruining football. Sport is meant to be enjoyed, but what we've seen week after week after week this season is tantamount to torture.

Clubs should be revolting against the PGMOL and demanding serious reform to officiating in this country. Much like the government, the PGMOL are an organisation that isn't currently fit for purpose.


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