Aston Villa officially complains about PGMOL over a false judgement
Aston Villa has filed an official complaint with the professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL) following what umpire Thomas Bramal considered an important error during his 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.
The controversy broke out when the match was still goal after Emiliano Martinez was rejected and it appeared that Morgan Rodgers placed Villa first after Villa was 10.
Rodgers locates the ball from United goalkeeper Altai Bayindeal in the box and puts it in the net.
However, Bramall decides that Bayindir secured the ball with both hands and blew whi for a foul before crowbar crossed the line.
Var was unable to consider the decision as play was stopped before the goal.
Almost immediately after the unauthorized goal, Amado Diallo opened up United’s goals, and Christian Eriksen’s late penalty sealed the victory.
This loss led Villa to finish sixth in goal difference, missing the coveted Champions League spot.
Aston Villa confirms that the club has written to PGMOL and raises concerns about the selection process of officials for today’s post-match match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
With such high interests surrounding today’s equipment, the club believes in more experienced referees… pic.twitter.com/ma09u4gloq
– Aston Villa (@avfcofficial) May 25, 2025
Villa’s director of football operations, Damien Bidagany expressed the club’s anger in his post-game comments. “We’re going to send complaints, which are not about decisions, they’re one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League.
“It wasn’t about a decision, it was clearly a mistake. The complaint is about the judge. The question is why the international judge was not here today.”
Initially, Villa planned to address concerns about the Premier League, but later confirmed that she wrote directly to PGMOL instead. In their letter, Villa argued that “more experienced referees” should have supervised such high stakes matches.
“Of the 10 judges who will host the entire Premier League today, Bramar was the second most experienced,” the club’s statement read.
“The decision to ban Morgan Rodgers’ goal would have given the club a 1-0 lead in the 17-minute game, but it was a major contributor to the club that was not qualifying for the Champions League.
“We acknowledge that the outcome remains the same, but we believe it is important to address the choice method to ensure that high stakes coincidences are treated that way with regard to the hosting and that the implemented VAR technology is effective.”
Bramal, who made his Premier League debut in August 2022, played 11 top flight matches and 12 championship games this season.
Villa manager Unai Emery was visibly annoyed by the controversial call, particularly the unauthorized goal and United’s late spot kick. After the match he said: “The TV is clear, but of course we have to accept it. It was a mistake. It was a big mistake.”