Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 21 March 2026 17:30, UK

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Darren England was under the microscope for all the wrong reasons during a Premier League clash between Brighton and Liverpool.

It is not the first time that the referee’s performance has been the main talking point during the 2025-26 campaign, and unless Howard Webb takes action, it is unlikely to be the last time.

England was in charge during Everton’s heavyweight clash against Man United last month, a game which attracted a lot of attention due to the unpunished player brawls inside the penalty areas.

Liverpool went on to lose 2-1 to Brighton on Saturday, 21 March, but Arne Slot is unlikely to bite his tongue over the controversial moments, either while with the press or behind the scenes.

Jeremie Frimpong escapes serious injury vs Brighton

Premier League managers are likely to be calling the Head of the PGMOL each Monday after the weekend’s action, and Webb can expect to hear from the under-pressure Liverpool boss this time.

Yankuba Minteh, already on a yellow card, put in a tough challenge on an airborne Jeremy Frimpong just a minute after his booking, before crunching into the Dutchman again before half-time.

The second incident was by far the more serious one, leaving the full-back in a heap on the floor, and it has become rather clear this season that the youngster is a livewire on the flanks.

After Stuart Attwell’s mistakes in Bournemouth versus Man United on Friday, 20 March, very few supporters are surprised by the missed red card. They’re even less surprised by the lack of punishment.

Darren England leaves serious questions for Howard Webb to answer

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Keith Hackett blasted Webb over the appointment of England for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea at the beginning of March, with no accountability shown by the chief.

This is a continuous trend. Fans are often fooled into thinking that officials have been suspended, such as Peter Bankes this weekend, when instead, he is in charge at Wembley Stadium for Arsenal versus Man City.

The ever-growing refereeing mistakes, including questionable calls from VAR, are drawing all of the joy out of football and have quickly become the main talking point amongst Premier League fans.

Until the referees are forced to own their mistakes, like England on this occasion, these mistakes will not be stamped out of the sport. It’s a simple change, but Webb has done very little to take charge.