Axed for the Finale: Referee Michael Salisbury Dropped Following Man Utd vs. Forest VAR Controversy

The fallout from last Sunday’s chaotic 3-2 thriller between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest has claimed its first casualty.

Referee Michael Salisbury has been completely omitted from the match official appointments for the final day of the Premier League season. The decision comes less than 48 hours after PGMOL chief Howard Webb privately contacted Nottingham Forest to apologize for a critical refereeing error that allowed a controversial Manchester United goal to stand.

The 55th-Minute Flashpoint

The controversy centered around United’s second goal of the afternoon at Old Trafford, scored by Matheus Cunha.

In the build-up to the goal, forward Bryan Mbeumo attempted to control a bouncing ball in the penalty box. The ball struck his right thigh before hitting his right arm. Salisbury initially deemed the contact accidental on the pitch and let play continue.

However, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Matt Donohue spotted that Mbeumo had effectively cradled and trapped the ball between his arm and thigh to cushion it before taking a shot. Though his initial effort was blocked, the ball fell perfectly to Cunha, who smashed it home.

Donohue officially advised Salisbury to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, signaling a clear and obvious error. In a move that stunned pundits and fans alike, Salisbury stood by his original on-field decision, waving away Forest’s protests and awarding the goal.

Webb Admits On-Screen Blunder

Following a fierce backlash, PGMOL chief Howard Webb reached out to Nottingham Forest leadership to admit the goal should have been disallowed.

While the Premier League has instructed referees to show more leniency regarding accidental handballs that deflect off a player’s own body, Webb conceded that Salisbury completely misjudged the spirit of the law in this instance.

The PGMOL Verdict: By trapping the ball with his arm, Mbeumo gained an undeniable, unfair advantage in the buildup to the goal. Even under the current, more relaxed guidelines, English football expects an on-field referee to overturn their decision when presented with such clear monitor evidence.

A Tough Season Ends Early

Salisbury’s high-profile omission highlights a difficult campaign for the official. He has taken charge of just 13 Premier League matches this season—a stark contrast to colleagues like Michael Oliver, who has refereed 28 games and has been trusted with the high-stakes final-day clash between Tottenham and Everton.

While Salisbury watches the final weekend from the sidelines, the teams involved are moving on to very different season finales:

• Manchester United: The 3-2 victory successfully clinched Champions League qualification for Michael Carrick’s side. Their final game against Brighton will now be a celebratory, emotional affair as veteran midfielder Casemiro prepares to make his final appearance for the club.

• Nottingham Forest: Despite the bitter taste of Sunday’s defeat—where goals from Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White weren’t quite enough to save a point—Forest will look to close out their campaign on a high, though questions regarding refereeing consistency will undoubtedly dominate their summer agenda.