Source:
REUTERS/CARL RECINE
[Saba
Sports News] The Premier League featured some highly anticipated matches over
the weekend, including the clash between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the most attention-grabbing figure in the game turned out to be the
referee, Simon Hooper. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, when Jack
Grealish secured a perfect scoring opportunity, the referee suddenly called a
foul by Erling Haaland on a previous clash against Tottenham players. This decision
cost Manchester City an excellent opportunity to secure three points, and the
game ended in a 3-3 draw. As a result, both the Manchester City players and
fans expressed strong dissatisfaction and questioned the referee’s
decision-making. Subsequently, referee Simon Hooper faced immediate criticism
from fans and became the top trending topic in the UK. Fans have been
particularly critical of Hooper’s officiating in games involving Manchester
United against Wolves and Tottenham, as well as matches against Liverpool,
citing controversial refereeing decisions. Many fans have taken to the official
social media channels of the Premier League to express their anger and demand
that Hooper be demoted to the lower leagues or have his officiating
qualifications for this season revoked.