English football referee, later administrator
A 47-year-old Manchester official has stepped aside after an illustrious spell officiating 668 professional matches in England and 163 international fixtures, including World Cups and Euros. His final game was Portugal vs Spain in the World Cup last 16. He cites the pressure and scrutiny of elite officiating as the reason for stepping away, with praise from peers and a note of personal sacrifice.
Nottingham Forest and Tottenham played to a 0-0 draw as VAR decisions overshadowed the match. A disallowed Williams goal for handball is at the centre of dispute, with managers and pundits arguing over the consistency and threshold for intervention. A separate incident at Arsenal-Villa also prompts calls for clearer guidelines.
VAR ruled Haaland onside for Manchester City’s 1-0 win over United before Pro Ref acknowledged an error of judgement. Officials will not officiate next fixtures after the international break as investigations begin. Carrick and Maresca have defended their positions amid renewed scrutiny of officiating and offside technology.