Officials Stood Down After Aston Villa vs Newcastle FA Cup Controversy Over ‘One of the Worst Ever’ Decisions

Referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant Nick Greenhalgh have been removed from Premier League duties this weekend following the storm surrounding their performance in last week’s FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

The officiating team faced intense criticism after a series of contentious calls during Newcastle’s 3-1 win in the fourth round at Villa Park. With no VAR in operation for the fixture, the responsibility rested solely on the on-field officials — and several key moments quickly became flashpoints.

Villa’s opening goal arrived amid controversy after Tammy Abraham appeared to be in an offside position in the build-up, a decision that went unpunished. Matters escalated when Lucas Digne avoided a potential red card for a high, reckless challenge on Jacob Murphy. Commentating for the BBC, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy suggested that VAR intervention would likely have resulted in a dismissal.

The most debated incident, however, involved Digne handling the ball clearly inside his own penalty area. Despite being several yards within the box, a free kick — rather than a penalty — was awarded to Newcastle. The Magpies went on to score from the resulting set-piece, though there were further questions as Dan Burn appeared offside in the early phase of that move.

Rooney Labels Call ‘One of the Worst Ever’

Speaking on Match of the Day, former England captain Wayne Rooney did not hold back in his assessment. He described the decision not to award a penalty as “one of the worst” he had ever witnessed in football.

Rooney pointed out that Digne was clearly inside the penalty area by several yards and questioned how both the referee and assistant failed to identify it. He also suggested that Kavanagh appeared to consult his earpiece before making the call, implying the decision may have come from the assistant referee. Regardless, Rooney branded the moment “an absolute shocker.”

The controversy has reignited debate about the absence of VAR in certain FA Cup ties and the immense pressure placed on officials without technological support.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) selects referees for Premier League matches based on several performance metrics, including evaluations by an independent Key Match Incidents panel. These assessments are designed to maintain accountability and standards among top-flight officials.

Despite the backlash, Kavanagh, 40, remains a respected figure within officiating circles. Since making his Premier League debut in 2017, he has progressed steadily, earning a place on FIFA’s international referees list in 2019 and recently being promoted to UEFA’s elite referee category alongside Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver.

Meanwhile, assistant Gary Beswick — who avoided major criticism — is set to officiate in Nottingham Forest’s upcoming meeting with Liverpool.