The officials for next weekend’s Premier League fixtures have been announced, with Kevin Friend appointed as the match referee for Manchester City’s trip to Norwich. [via premierleague.com]
Anthony Taylor will be the VAR official for the game at Carrow Road, with Manchester City-focused Twitter channel @City_Xtra notifying its followers of the full list of appointments for the match.
OFFICIAL: Kevin Friend has been confirmed as the match referee for the upcoming game against Norwich City.
Assistants: Matthew Wilkes & Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Peter Bankes
VAR: Anthony Taylor
Assistant VAR: Gary Beswick#MCFC pic.twitter.com/0CzS8AJYyH
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) September 9, 2019
In the most recent round of Premier League games at the end of August, Friend came in for criticism from Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, who felt the referee had a “poor performance” after he contentiously disallowed what would have been a stoppage-time equaliser against Crystal Palace. [via BBC]
Taylor was the VAR official for the previous weekend’s game between Tottenham and Newcastle, when he ruled that a Jamal Lascelles challenge on Harry Kane in the box was not a penalty. [via Irish Mirror]
Although Manchester City have won 17 of their previous 25 matches with Friend as the referee, these City fans on Twitter were far from pleased with his appointment for the Norwich game:
Game over lads,, let’s take our L
— Lehlohonolo Papo (@Narepapo12) September 9, 2019
Is that red ref Taylor on var, if so we are doomed
— Maureen Tucker (@tucker_tucker17) September 9, 2019
3 points for Norwich then
— MAYUR HUMPHRIES (@MayurH45) September 9, 2019
No pens for us even when on VAR duty cant spot a pen when right under his nose.
— Graham Humphrys (@GrahamHumphrys) September 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/LMaitreSeanMCFC/status/1171083400305926144
Worst ref in the league
— The Blue City (@TheBIueCity) September 9, 2019
What do you make of the refereeing appointments for Norwich v Manchester City on Saturday? Share your views by commenting below!
