Aston Villa Files Complaint Over Refereeing Error That Cost Champions League Spot

Posted : 26 May 2025

Aston Villa has officially filed a complaint with the English FA over a controversial refereeing decision that they claim cost them a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The incident occurred during their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, where referee Thomas Brummell disallowed what appeared to be a legitimate goal by Morgan Rodgers.

Brummell ruled that Rodgers had taken the ball from Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır’s hands, a claim that was later contradicted by television replays. The club has described the decision as a serious error with significant consequences.

The match was level at 0-0 in the 73rd minute when Rodgers scored what could have been the opener for Villa, a result that would have secured their qualification to the Champions League. However, Brummell had already whistled for a foul before the ball entered the net, preventing VAR from intervening.

Shortly afterward, Manchester United took the lead through Amad Diallo, and Christian Eriksen later sealed the victory with a penalty. Villa’s coaching staff and players were visibly outraged, knowing that even a draw would have been enough to secure a top-five finish.

In the aftermath of the match, sporting director Damian Vidagany criticized the FA for appointing such an inexperienced referee for a game of this magnitude. He questioned why more seasoned officials were overlooked for a fixture with potential financial stakes exceeding €100 million.

Villa later released a formal statement emphasizing that Brummell was among the least experienced referees officiating that weekend and described the decision to disallow Rodgers’ goal as a critical turning point in their campaign.

Head coach Unai Emery expressed his disappointment, calling the disallowed goal a “big mistake” and stressing the importance of accountability and transparency in officiating. Club captain John McGinn echoed these sentiments, lamenting the missed opportunity and emphasizing how a single point could have changed their fate.

Although the match result remains, the club is demanding a review of the referee appointment process and advocating for improvements in VAR protocols to prevent similar incidents in future high-stakes encounters.

Aston Villa Files Complaint Over Refereeing Error That Cost Champions League Spot

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