Premier League referees are likely to award more penalties this season in a tougher response to players who grapple and hold opponents in the penalty area.

Howard Webb, chief operating officer of referees’ body the PGMOL, told reporters on Thursday that feedback from a recent Premier League survey had highlighted “a few too many” clear holding offences going unpunished.

He said VAR could intervene in situations of “extreme non-footballing action” where a player was clearly dragging another to the ground, even off the ball.

“I would expect, if we’re sitting around this table this time next year, there to have been a few more penalties given for holding offences than what we’ve seen (last season),” he said.

“But not a huge swing of the pendulum, because that’s really difficult to sustain over a period of time.”

Webb said there would still be “some grey zone situations where the referee’s call stands, where the referee says ‘No, it’s a small touch, it’s not impacting his ability to move the ball, it’s mutual holding.

“That will stay the referee’s call.

“When there’s no considerations to support the referee’s call, then we’ll expect VAR to get involved as well,” added Webb.

Nottingham Forest were awarded a penalty, confirmed after a VAR check, last season in a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion when Tariq Lamptey bundled Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White to the ground.

A subsequent Premier League statement referred to “sustained holding with no attempt to play the ball”.

The PGMOL has tried before to reduce holding but Webb said this time the approach would be more lasting.

“This is not meant to be a two-week campaign, a six-week campaign, August and September and then forget all about it,” he explained.

“If we went in like a steam train and gave every little bit of contact, then it would be a six week campaign because we get told very quickly to ease off on what we’re doing.

“We have to take the game with us, we have to be credible.”

The new season kicks off on Friday when champions Liverpool host Bournemouth.

-Reuters

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Manchester United opened the doors on Friday to their 50 million pound ($67.22 million) redevelopment of their men’s first team building at the Carrington Training Complex, a week before the Premier League season kicks off.

The year-long project was led by Mancunian architect Norman Foster and his firm Foster + Partners and financed with part of the 300 million pound ($403.47 million) capital injection into the club by United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe last year.

Redesigned with input from players and staff, the state-of-the-art training hub opened just as manager Ruben Amorim and his squad returned following their pre-season tour of the United States.

“Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United,” said Ratcliffe, who reached an agreement to become co-owner in late 2023.

“We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”

Most of United’s executive leadership have moved into the building, which the club said features upgraded equipment and technology, with a focus on nutrition, recovery and team unity, and features increased natural light and open workspaces to encourage connectivity.

“This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision,” said chief executive officer Omar Berrada.

Redevelopment of the men’s team building follows the construction of a 10 million pound ($13.44 million) building for the women’s first team and men’s academy in 2024.

United host Arsenal in their Premier League season opener on August 17.

-Reuters

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 Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey appeared in a London court on Tuesday, charged with raping two women while he was a player for the English Premier League soccer club.

Partey, a Ghana international, is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, plus a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022.

The 32-year-old sat in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court dressed in black during the brief hearing and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward said that two of the charges Partey faces relate to him allegedly anally raping one complainant during consensual sex on separate occasions.

Three further charges relate to a second woman whom Partey is accused of raping on three occasions, twice in Britain and once in Spain.

He was not asked to enter pleas to any of the charges. Partey was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance at London’s Old Bailey court on September 2. His lawyer previously said in a statement that Partey denies the charges and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.

Partey was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($57.7 million) in 2020 and became a key member of the English side’s first team, making 52 appearances in all competitions last season.

He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing. His contract with the Premier League club expired last month.

British media have reported Partey is close to joining Spanish side Villarreal on a free transfer and Judge Paul Goldspring said during Tuesday’s hearing that Partey would soon be moving to Spain.

-Reuters

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