Archive May 26, 2025

‘Poor’ decision by PGMOL to pick Bramall for Villa game – Hackett

By in News, Sports News

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Jack Skelton
Senior journalist for BBC Sport

Former referees’ group boss Keith Hackett described the appointment of Thomas Bramall as a “poor management decision” by Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

After conceding 2-0 to Manchester United on Sunday, Villa complained to the referees’ body PGMOL about Bramall, who had “big mistake” in missing out on the Champions League.

Morgan Rogers nudged the ball past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir before the Villa midfielder netted the ball for a foul in Bramall.

The video assistant referee (VAR) was unable to intervene because he stopped play before the ball crossed the line, which Bramall believed to be true despite television footage suggesting otherwise.

Villa’s complaint centers on the appointment of “one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League.”

Bramall, 35, first refereed in the Premier League in August 2022, and his games this year have mostly been in either the top flight or the second tier, with 11 in the Premier League and 12 in the Championship.

Bramall has officiated the second-most top-flight games this season out of the ten referees appointed for Sunday’s final round of the Premier League, ahead of Lewis Smith, who took charge of his seventh game against Leicester.

In response to former Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor’s criticism of Bramall’s performance in a Talksport video, Hackett said PGMOL “do not learn.”

Our top referee, former Premier League player Michael Oliver, was operating VAR on a game, the former referee added. What a poor management choice.

Hackett, who was PGMOL’s former head under the name Professional Game Match Officials Board, added that he “would have anticipated that one of our top officials” had been chosen for the Manchester United-Aston Villa game.

He continued, “It was shocking and disappointed” that Oliver had been chosen as VAR for Tottenham’s defeat by Brighton, and that it was “difficult to comprehend” why he wasn’t chosen to referee “a big game” in Sunday’s final round.

What are PGMOL’s hiring guidelines?

PGMOL stated to BBC Sport that it does not make any comments regarding how individual match appointments are made.

All match officials are required to complete a declaration of interest form before the start of each season in accordance with PGMOL’s hiring policy.

Officials who do not have a conflict of interest in a game, such as video assistant referees and assistant video assistant referees, are only permitted to officiate games.

This includes organizations they support, organizations that have first-team competitive matches, or organizations that are affiliated with the official residence in another city or town.

Officials are also prohibited from participating in games that directly involve clubs that have strong ties to those clubs in which an interest has been declared.

A club’s association with another club is up to PGMOL’s discretion to determine whether that club has a strong relationship.

Howard Webb, the PGMOL chief refereeing officer, has the option to change the appointments at his discretion.

If Villa had defeated Manchester United, Newcastle would have qualified for the Champions League in fifth place after losing to Everton on Sunday.

Because Oliver loves Newcastle, he could not have led the game against Everton.

However, it’s not clear if that also meant he wasn’t chosen to officiate Villa or Manchester City or the Forest-Chelsea game because those teams were competing with Newcastle to earn Champions League qualification.

Unai Emery’s side defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the final Premier League game of Unai Emery’s reign.

Not only was he the only experienced referee in Sunday’s final round not chosen as the on-field official.

Although not in the middle for any of Sunday’s ten games, Chris Kavanagh, Simon Hooper, Peter Bankes, and Samuel Barrott have all spoken in 20 or more Premier League games this season.

Foy and Bramall were chosen “on merit”

Former Premier League official Chris Foy claimed that while many referees “would have given a foul in that situation,” Bramall’s decision was an “unfortunate incident.”

He claimed that Bramall’s performance in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on May 20, a match that featured a straight red card for each team, impressed BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

Foy continued, “He was deserving of his appointment and was merited the [Villa] game.”

Unfortunately, because he took his time to give the penalty and made a really wise decision, we’re talking about it.

He seemed to be doing very well, but sadly, we’re discussing this particular decision.

Shay Given, a former goalkeeper for Newcastle and Aston Villa, said Bramall would “learn” and “grow” from this circumstance.

He continued, “Let’s not forget that Thomas Bramall is a person.”

related subjects

  • Aston Villa
  • Premier League
  • Football

Miriam Margolyes says she ‘doesn’t have long to live’ after major heart surgery

By in Entertainment News, News

The actress who is best known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, Miriam Margolyes, has shared a heartbreaking update on her health because she fears there won’t be much time left to live.

Miriam Margolyes says she ‘doesn’t have long to live’ after major heart surgery(Image: (Image: Getty))

Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes has given a heart-rending update on her health, revealing her fear that she might not have much time left. The 84-year-old actress, known for her role as Professor Sprout in the magical franchise, opened up about her health concerns during an interview with The Times.

She admitted that she would not be willing to leave performing when she realized that she had only five or six years to live, and that she was likely going to pass away in five or six. It’s so enjoyable. I’m not strong enough to play roles that don’t put me in wheelchairs.

Miriam Margolyes says she doesn't have long left to live
Miriam Margolyes says she doesn’t have long left to live(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Despite her vibrant career, the Oxford-born actress has faced several health challenges over the years, including spinal stenosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. In 2023, she underwent a procedure to replace an aortic valve, avoiding more invasive open-heart surgery.

On Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, she joked, “I have a cow’s heart now,” adding, “Well, not the whole heart.” A cow’s aortic valve replaced my aortic valve. How prevalent is it, in my opinion. That operation was unknown to me. However, it prevents you from having “open heart surgery,” which would be significantly more invasive.

Miriam acknowledged that she still experiences pain and limitations despite having successful surgery. She has previously stated that she needs assistance from sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter to move and that she is disabled.

Continue reading the article.

Miriam openly discussed her health issues and status as a registered disabled person, telling Closer magazine, “I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled. I seek out all kinds of assistance. I have a mobility scooter, which is much fun, whereas my previous two sticks and walker are so boring.

The acclaimed actress has never shied away from openly discussing her health problems, even suggesting that her limited mobility and pain may have prevented her performances at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Miriam underwent huge heart surgery recently
Miriam underwent huge heart surgery recently(Image: Youtube)

She shared a personal story of her struggle with Metro and said, “I’m frequently in pain… bodily conditions make life difficult, so it’s unlikely I will do it again.” However, I enjoy connecting with audiences and imparting my knowledge and appreciation of Dickens.

Margolyes expressed concerns about providing enough carers to Radio Times, but she hasn’t kept her worries about future care needs a secret either.

She further expanded on her thoughts while visiting Loose Women, where she admitted: “One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for. It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it.”

Continue reading the article.

DPO Killed As Youths Attack Kano Police Station Over Detainee’s Death

By in News, Nigeria News

Following a violent incident that resulted in the deaths of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and another person, tension seized control of the Rano Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident started on Sunday evening when a motorcycle mechanic, identified as Abdullahi Musa, was detained for allegedly reckless and dangerous riding, according to a press release from the Kano State Police Command on Monday. At the time of his arrest, it was thought he had a drink of.

Musa was taken to Rano General Hospital because he had health issues while he was being held, according to the police. He sadly passed away on May 26, 2025, at around 06:00 am while receiving treatment, according to SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano Command’s police public relations officer.

A group of irate youths reportedly stormed the Rano Police Division after learning of his death, ignoring parts of the station and destroying several vehicles. &nbsp,

Read more here: One Injured As Explosion Rocks Abuja Bus Stop

According to Kiyawa, “the attackers looted and burned sections of the station, burned two vehicles, destroyed ten others, seriously injured the DPO,” the statement continued.

The DPO, whose name was not made public in the statement, was immediately transported to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police confirmed the arrest of 27 of the alleged attackers in the wake of the violence. Authorities claim that control has now been achieved.

A “comprehensive and transparent investigation” into the incident has been mandated by the police commissioner, Ibrahim Bakori. Additionally, he visited Mohammed Isah Umar, the Emir of Rano, to offer condolences.

According to CP Bakori, “We are committed to finding both the remote and the unavoidable causes of this tragic series of events.” “Those accountable will face punishment, whether through incitement or direct action.”

Why is Israel now facing pressure from some of its Western allies?

By in News, World News

Spain hosts important Arab and European countries to compel Israel to halt the Gaza assault.

Major European and Arab countries came together for the fifth time to discuss the Madrid Group’s fifth meeting in Spain’s capital.

This year, Spain has been putting more pressure on Israel, with sanctions being imposed on those who impede the establishment of two-state settlements in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In the occupied West Bank, the United Kingdom has halted trade negotiations and sanctioned a number of Israeli settlers. Additionally, punitive measures have been threatened by France and Canada.

And the biggest trading partner of Israel, the European Union, is revising the landmark Association Agreement, which covers political dialogue and trade.

Why is this happening now, though, after 20 months of Israel’s destruction of Gaza?

Are these actions more than diplomatic symbolic gestures to Palestinians, and not anything else?

Presenter: Tom McRae

Guests:

Member of the European Parliament and head of the delegation tasked with maintaining relations with Palestine

Mouin Rabbani is a Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies non-resident fellow.

Man arrested after car ploughs into crowd at Liverpool FC’s title parade

By in News, World News

According to emergency services, a man was detained after driving a car into a crowd in Liverpool to celebrate the Premier League football team’s victory.

Following reports that a car had collided with a number of pedestrians, Merseyside Police in northwest England were called shortly after 6pm on Monday (17:00 GMT).

According to the PA Media news agency, the arrested man is a “53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area,” according to the police report.

According to the police, “more inquiries are being conducted” to ascertain the facts surrounding the collision. We ask that no one make any speculative decisions regarding the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident.

Authorities did not immediately release information about the number of injuries.

At the conclusion of the celebrations, when players paraded the trophy through the city while a dark-colored car swerved into the dense crowd on an open-topped bus, was captured on social media.

Harry Rashid, who was present at the parade, claimed his car started ramming people about three meters (10 feet) away from him.

Rashid claimed that “it was very quickly.” We just heard the sound of people being simply knocked off the bonnet of a car at first.

[Phil Noble/Reuters] The area in Liverpool is cordoned off.

The vehicle and a number of people lying on the ground quickly were surrounded by crowds and police uniformed officers.

A fire engine was also present at the scene, and cordons were put in place.

Keir Starmer, the prime minister, claimed he was being kept informed about the incident.

“I’m in shock that the scenes in Liverpool are so horrible; my thoughts are with everyone who has been hurt or impacted. Starmer expressed his gratitude to the police and emergency services for their prompt and consistent response to this troubling incident on social media.

Tens of thousands of fans gathered in the city center to watch Liverpool’s players display the Premier League trophy atop two buses with the slogan “Ours Again” while battling wet weather on the streets.

The 10-mile (16km) procession scurried along a sea of red smoke and rain and was surrounded by a thick layer of police and security. The Royal Liver Building, which appeared to be the final stop of the parade, was detonated in the middle of the city.

Rashid claimed that the crowd halted the car after it struck its first victims and began slamming windows.

“But then he retreated and slog through the rest of them.” He simply continued to advance, Rashid said. It was awful. And as he passed over the people, you could hear the bumps.

Rashid claimed it appeared deliberate, and he was shocked and disbelief.

He claimed that “my daughter started screaming and there were people lying on the ground.” They were “just innocent people who were going to enjoy the parade” said one witness.