Paul Tierney won’t referee any of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures after a crucial error in Liverpool’s late win at Nottingham Forest.
It was Tierney’s decision to give the ball back to Jurgen Klopp’s side following a late stoppage in play. Darwin Nunez went on to score the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the Reds at the City Ground, even though possession should have gone to the hosts.
However, Tierney will have a role to play after being appointed as the video assistant referee for Saturday’s clash between Brentford and Arsenal. That may raise alarm among the Gunners fanbase as they look to urge their side on in the title race.
Forest made the decision to employ Mark Clattenburg as a referee analyst in February after they felt a series of decisions had wrongfully gone against them. And he addressed Saturday’s drama as Liverpool clung onto the Premier League lead via controversial means.
“As a club, Forest feel there have been one or two decisions that have gone against them – Newcastle United, West Ham – decisions that the PGMOL have accepted that there has been a mistake,” said the former top-flight official. “If the referee is to stop the game for a head injury if he feels there is one, he’s rightly allowed to stop it. However, the ball has to go back to the team that has possession. And Nottingham Forest clearly had that possession.
“He did exactly the same in the first half however it was a different situation. The ball was closer to the penalty area and the Nottingham Forest was towards the corner flag. Nottingham Forest should have had the ball back. Instead, Liverpool have gone upfield and scored from it.”
