The Premier League has confirmed which officials will be in charge of the 10 games this weekend, including a huge call on the referee in the middle for Leicester City’s defeat away to Arsenal.
Steve Cooper’s side conceded two stoppage-time goals to lose 4-2 after initially coming back from two goals down to level the tie.
James Justin scored two second-half goals after strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard had given the Gunners the lead before a Wilfred Ndidi own goal and Kai Havertz effort in the 90th minute were enough.
Foxes boss Cooper was left disappointed with “two poor decisions” made in the game and it appears that has played a role in this weekend’s appointments.
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Premier League drop referee after controversial Arsenal vs Leicester City performance
Speaking after the game, the Leicester manager felt that referee Sam Barrott had failed to spot two mistakes during the game.
Cooper claimed that Jamie Vardy was fouled by William Saliba in the build-up to Arsenal’s opener and also said that Ricardo Califiori should’ve been shown a second yellow in the second half at the Emirates Stadium, with the Match of the Day panel in agreement with Cooper.
Now, for the first time this season, Barrott will not be involved in any of the games this weekend.
He has featured as the main referee or as a fourth official for every round of fixtures so far this season, but that run will now come to an end, as per the Premier League website.
Premier League referee who was involved in controversial VAR decision during Fulham vs Leicester City appointed for Bournemouth game
Following the news of the latest matchday appointments, it was confirmed that Darren Bond would be the referee for Leicester’s game against Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Bond has taken charge of the Foxes already this season and officiated the 2-1 defeat away to Fulham in August.
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He was involved in a controversial moment surrounding Wout Faes’ equaliser for Leicester on the day after it was originally ruled out for offside before Bond reversed the decision after looking at the VAR monitor.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher explained why VAR and Bond made the right call after initially being accused of making the wrong decision.