Darren England found himself scrutinized for all the wrong reasons during a Premier League match between Brighton and Liverpool.
This isn’t the first instance where the referee’s performance has dominated discussions during the 2025-26 season, and unless Howard Webb intervenes, it probably won’t be the last.
England officiated the high-profile match between Everton and Man United last month, which drew significant attention due to unpunished altercations among players in the penalty areas.
Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, 21 March, but Arne Slot is unlikely to hold back regarding the contentious incidents, whether in press conferences or behind closed doors.
Jeremie Frimpong narrowly avoided serious injury against Brighton.
Premier League managers are expected to reach out to the Head of the PGMOL every Monday following the weekend’s matches, and Webb should anticipate communication from the beleaguered Liverpool manager this time around.
Yankuba Minteh, already cautioned with a yellow card, committed a reckless challenge on a leaping Jeremy Frimpong just a minute after his booking, before colliding with the Dutchman again before the half-time break.
The second incident was significantly more severe, leaving the full-back crumpled on the ground, and it has become increasingly evident this season that the young player is a dynamic presence on the wings.
Following Stuart Attwell’s errors in the Bournemouth versus Man United match on Friday, 20 March, very few fans were shocked by the overlooked red card.
They were even less surprised by the absence of disciplinary action.
Darren England raises serious concerns for Howard Webb to address.
In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, Keith Hackett criticized Webb for appointing England to officiate the Arsenal versus Chelsea match at the start of March, highlighting the lack of accountability from the chief.
This pattern continues. Supporters are frequently misled into believing that officials have been suspended, like Peter Bankes this weekend, when in reality, he is officiating at Wembley Stadium for Arsenal versus Man City.
The increasing number of refereeing errors, particularly dubious VAR decisions, is diminishing the enjoyment of football and has swiftly turned into the primary topic of discussion among Premier League supporters.
Unless referees are compelled to acknowledge their errors, as was the case with England this time, these blunders will persist in the game.
It’s a straightforward adjustment, yet Webb has taken minimal action to assert control.
