Premier League club co-owner prepared to absorb criticism as referees come under scrutiny once more
Premier League referees faced increased scrutiny last weekend following another weekend of dramatic events. Burnley co-owner JJ Watt has spoken out about the poor performance of top-flight referees and indicated his willingness to take criticism on behalf of Vincent Kompany, the manager of the struggling Burnley side. Despite winning the Championship last season, Burnley’s dismal performance this season, with only four victories and 19 points, suggests impending relegation. Burnley’s frustrations with refereeing decisions were further heightened when Kompany was shown a red card and charged with misconduct after a contentious penalty decision against Chelsea.
Watt, expressing his frustration on the Stick To Football podcast, highlighted his concerns over the quality of referee decisions and his willingness to confront referees, even hinting at feigning ignorance to challenge them. Kompany also voiced his dissatisfaction with the standard of refereeing this season, acknowledging the challenges faced by officials due to increased scrutiny, the introduction of VAR, and the pressure to perform. He emphasized that this season’s refereeing errors have not balanced out as they traditionally do, regardless of his team’s position in the league.
