Latest news with #SimonHooper
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Referee for Man Utd vs Arsenal got taken out of firing line over opening weekend controversy
Manchester United host Arsenal on the first weekend of the new Premier League season, and the game will be overseen by an official who has history with opening matches at Old Trafford Veteran Premier League referee Simon Hooper is set to oversee Manchester United 's face-off with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday. United are gearing up to welcome the Gunners as they kick-off their Premier League campaign with a difficult first test. The Red Devils have had a fruitful summer both on and off the pitch, welcoming four new signings and maintaining an unbeaten streak in pre-season. Consequently, there's a renewed sense of optimism swirling around Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim enters his first full season at the helm. In anticipation of the Gunners' visit, the Premier League has confirmed seasoned ref Hooper will be in charge of the match. And he'll be as eager as anyone else to avoid major incident at the Theatre of Dreams. Hooper has presided over nine United matches throughout his career, the most recent being the Reds' 2-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford last December. This was the only United match he refereed last season, per the Manchester Evening News. The 43-year-old has officiated more than 120 games in England's top flight during his career. But Hooper found himself at the heart of controversy when United edged out Wolves 1-0 at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season. It was his decision not to award Wolves a penalty in the dying moments of that match. All eyes turned to Hooper when United debutant Andre Onana collided with striker Sasa Kalajdzic while attempting to intercept a cross. But the Cameroon international got his timing wrong and clattered into the Wolves frontman while aiming for the ball. The result was widespread furore, with then-Wolves boss Gary O'Neil among the most incensed. O'Neil revealed after the match that the visiting team had received an apology from Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). This was of course in relation to Hooper's failure to award a penalty, frustrating the team that they had been deprived a potential equaliser. Hooper was subsequently dropped from the refereeing roster for the following weekend's fixtures, as he was taken out of the firing line. As if the apology wasn't enough acknowledgement that he had got the call wrong, his omission from the next round of games only added to Wolves' frustration. Hooper will be supported by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long at Old Trafford this Sunday, with Jarred Gillett acting as the fourth official. Paul Tierney will be handling VAR duties, assisted by Steven Meredith. United haven't won a league fixture against the Gunners since September 2022, though they did knock them out of last term's FA Cup third round on penalties. Despite rumours , Onana could still start between the posts at Old Trafford on Sunday after missing pre-season through injury. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fuming Arsenal fans say ‘congratulations Man Utd' as referee is announced for opening Premier League game
ARSENAL fans have been left fuming after the referee was announced for their match against Manchester United. The Gunners face the Red Devils at Old Trafford in their first Premier League fixture of the 2025/26 season. 2 Mikel Arteta 's side will be hoping they can go one further than their recent attempts to win their first title since 2003. However, Arsenal fans are not feeling confident after the Premier League announced Paul Tierney would be the VAR for the match. It was also revealed that Paul Tierney would be on the VAR while Jarred Gillett will be the fourth official. Simon Hooper will be the referee in the middle of the pitch. Tierney is not a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium, having made some controversial decisions against them in the past. This includes disallowing Gabriel Martinelli 's goal against United in 2023. Martin Odegaard on Christian Eriksen in the build-up. Arsenal went on to lose the game 3-1, which damaged their hopes of winning the title that season. Arteta has previously been publicly critical of the official after the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. After the game, he said: "If I say what I think I am suspended for six months, I don't know how to lie so I prefer not to say what I think. "I cannot say what I think. "I want the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions. "It's a shame because such a beautiful game was destroyed today." Fans reacted to the news of the appointments on social media. One posted: "Jarred Gillet and Paul Tierney. Congrats Manchester United." A second wrote: "They've given us all the haters." A third commented: "Can't wait for the inevitable dodgy penalty and then random red card."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Normal service set to be resumed' for Arsenal's visit
[PA Media] It is nothing new to see Liverpool fans celebrating. They have been doing it for much of the season and in the past week or so, it has gone up a gear or two. But these days they are even jumping up and down and cheering their team on when they lose. Advertisement It was no surprise to see the Chelsea fans in delirious mood when referee Simon Hooper blew the final whistle at Stamford Bridge. Not only had they beaten the champions, they had given themselves a really decent chance of securing Champions League football for next season. But with the Reds' travelling army seemingly still overjoyed, perhaps it serves to underline the fact that it is difficult to make it seem like things matter, when they do not really matter at all. Arne Slot is 100 per cent correct when he said that nothing good ever comes from losing a football match and it is something Liverpool supporters have not had to face up to very often this season. But with all the hard work done a week earlier, it is no surprise that there was a lack of intensity at times and a shortage of the killer instinct that has been their hallmark this season. Maybe it is the price you pay for becoming champions with four games to spare, but do not be surprised if something a bit more like normal service is resumed on Sunday when Arsenal visit Anfield. Advertisement On paper, it is another game that does not matter. But when you come face to face with the team that have been highlighted as your main title challengers, then there is more at stake than just three points. After Slot made it clear that he intended to rotate his squad, perhaps we should not have been surprised by the make-up of the starting XI against Chelsea. He is right to reward those players that have played a part in their title success, but have not started as many games as they would have liked. Whether the changes are as wide-ranging against Arsenal remains to be seen. There is also a question about Trent Alexander-Arnold, now that his plans for the future have been revealed. Should he be taken out of the starting XI because he will soon be leaving? Or should he get the chance to say a proper farewell by playing a significant part in his final two matches at Anfield? The final call rests with Slot. When it comes to making big decisions this season, I cannot think of too many that he has got wrong. Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside Explore Liverpool content on BBC Sounds
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Live score: Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town (English Premier League) - Talents Abroad
Ahram Online is providing a live score coverage for Saturday's match between Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town in the 28th matchday of the English Premier League Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town Stay tuned as match is due to start at 17:00 Cairo time (GMT+2) Venue: Selhurst Park (London) Referee: Simon Hooper (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Live Score: Liverpool v Wolves (English Premier League) - Talents Abroad
Ahram Online is providing live score coverage for today's Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolves on the 26th matchday of the competition. Liverpool vs. Wolves Stay tuned as the match is due to start at 16:00 Cairo time (GMT+2). Venue: Anfield, Liverpool (England) Referee: Simon Hooper (England) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
