Vincent Kompany, the manager of Burnley Football Club, has raised concerns over the standard of refereeing in the Premier League this season, labeling it as “not good enough.”
Kompany’s remarks come in the wake of a contentious match against Chelsea, where he himself was shown a red card by referee Darren England during a 2-2 draw. The red card was issued following Kompany’s protest against a penalty decision that resulted in defender Lorenz Assignon being sent off.
Burnley has experienced a disproportionately high number of player dismissals this season, with six players receiving red cards in 30 games, the most among all Premier League teams.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Kompany emphasized his commitment to providing feedback to officials, regardless of potential fines. He stated, “I’ve said it to the referees themselves – refereeing hasn’t been good enough this season.” Kompany acknowledged the challenges faced by referees, particularly with increased scrutiny and pressure, exacerbated by the introduction of VAR and additional officiating personnel.
Despite Burnley’s position second from the bottom of the Premier League table, Kompany stressed the importance of fair officiating, emphasizing the need for consistency and accuracy in decision-making.
Reflecting on past seasons, Kompany highlighted a perceived shift away from common-sense officiating, where mistakes were accepted as part of the game. However, he lamented that this season has seen a departure from that ethos, with discrepancies in refereeing decisions leaving him and his team frustrated.