Aston Villa fans cried out in disbelief after a refereeing blunder potentially cost them qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season. They were playing Manchester United on Sunday when it looked like Morgan Rogers had put his side ahead after poking the ball through the hands of United’s Altay Bayindir.
VAR couldn’t change the on-field decision
Thomas Bramall, who has refereed the second-fewest English Premier League games this season of anyone on the panel, had blown his whistle right before Rogers put the ball in the net, which meant that VAR couldn’t change the on-field decision. United went on to win the game 2-1.
Aston Villa Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany questioned how the 35-year-old Bramall was selected to be in charge for one of the biggest games of Villa’s season. Missing out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League could cost the club up to £100m ($135m) when accounting for prize money, matchday income, and broadcasting.
Paddy Power decided to give some sort of relief to fans by announcing that it would pay out on Morgan Rogers goalscoring wagers and on Aston Villa finishing in the top 5, despite its sixth-place finish:
