Graham Scott

Expert referee correspondent, @TheAthletic @TheAthleticFC
Media professional | Management consultant | Former Premier League referee and VAR

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

▪️ Why is Arteta the hardest to handle?
▪️ What was his worst officiating error?
▪️ Is there bias towards the bigger clubs?
▪️ What happened to his whistle?

On the latest episode of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗖 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, Graham Scott (@Refsplaining) answers your questions on the life of a Premier League referee.

https://t.co/rzfw8wBwCt

[The Football Writers' Association @theofficialfwa]

We are delighted to announce that Jim White @jimw1 is the new Chair of the Football Writers' Association. He succeeds @johncrossmirror saying: "John has left sizeable shoes to fill. His time at the head of the organisation was one of enormous achievement."
Full story here: ✍️
https://t.co/U1KmUobJ6a

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

“He was just hard work. Really, really hard work all the time…

“He does get away with rather too much and the officials do need to be a bit tighter.”

Former Premier League referee @Refsplaining explains why Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta was the worst manager to deal with on the touchline.

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@Telstar22995931 @MartinCald77022 The KMI panel voted 5-0 that this tackle was a yellow card because there was no contact, then wrote in its commentary 'this type of challenge has no place on the pitch'

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

Gosh

[KEITH HACKETT @HACKETTREF]

If that is how he use to referee then no wonder we have witnessed a decline in the standard of officiating from our senior referees. I do not see that approach from Barrott, Hallam, Kirk. Oliver and others. No wonder you did not get the big games!!

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@MirrorFootball @andydunnmirror https://t.co/Zl8N6B8XoT

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

Interesting take from @andydunnmirror

I picked up some of his points here: https://t.co/Zl8N6B8XoT

[Mirror Football @MirrorFootball]

Premier League VAR panel is a nonsense distraction tactic that feeds modern controversy cycle, writes @andydunnmirror

https://t.co/HTPAc8UMNQ

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@1spurslive Spurs should have had three penalties away from home in this period. Two were in games they won, the third in a 0-0 draw at Brentford, by which time Romero should have been off

They should have conceded a penalty at City in a 2-0 win

All four decisions split the KMI panel 3-2

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@Anthonyyyy_ I have a large family and different members support Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United

I worked with fans of Newcastle, Sunderland, West Ham, Leicester, Watford, Everton, Sheffield United…

Fortunately, I don’t have any friends because I’m a football referee

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

https://t.co/1ezfacIeit

[Gareth Roberts @robbohuyton]

I don’t get why officials from Greater Manchester are put in charge of Liverpool games - and especially *that* game against City.

I’m not alone in thinking that - it’s mad that “Pro Ref” don’t consider the optics.

✍️ https://t.co/mtaLZ4zgPE

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@__sampatterson I respond to the questions put by readers, try not to shirk any issues and focus on those that garner the most interest

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

https://t.co/dP66JXItZm

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@robbohuyton https://t.co/1ezfacIM81

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

▪️ Should Kai Havertz have had a penalty?
▪️ Was Igor Thiago’s red card harsh?
▪️ Did Senne Lammens foul Zion Suzuki for Manchester United’s equaliser?
▪️ Why doesn’t the PL use refs from abroad?

In his latest Ask the Ref column, former Premier League referee Graham Scott (@Refsplaining) answers your questions.

https://t.co/ykQ5aiaAk3

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@AfroChelsea @EmiratesFACup Two decisions in nine years may not be the clinching argument you imagine

Chelsea had won the previous five games Gillett had reffed, and have only lost one of nine of his matches in the PL

Try a different target next week

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

This seems to be receiving a lot of attention so worth explaining what was going on

The assistant knows who got the last touch, but can't be sure on which side of the corner flag the ball passed

The ref is further away but better placed, hence the comms

https://t.co/mzbg82rFu9

[InsensibleCFC @Chels1an]

I'm not even kidding how are you THIS bad at your job

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@Chris03_St No. His job is to determine if and when the ball goes out of play

Which team gets which restart is a joint decision led by the better placed official

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@Chels1an I think the words ‘looks like a throw’ explain neatly why a quick check was necessary and made sense

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@claretnbooze @HACKETTREF A West Brom player was charged and banned on the opening weekend for scoring with his hand. That was in the Championship, of course

I’m not aware of any such charges in the Premier League since the introduction of VAR

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

https://t.co/Ri1eSv2dgC

[Graham Scott @Refsplaining]

@Jsousa22_ @TribunalArb Unlikely to be detected on field as it’s so far from the ball and there are other issues for the ref to assess. The attacker doesn’t help his case because it looks like he’s pulling the attacker onto him. But the defender is facing away from the ball and holding so I prefer a pen