Jarred Gillett is barred from refereeing Liverpool games, but his appointment to a fixture involving their title rivals is already raising familiar concerns.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Referee Jarred Gillett with a yellow card during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Jarred Gillett will referee Arsenal’s game against Leeds United on Saturday, just one week before Arsenal face Liverpool.
The Australian official is a known Liverpool supporter and, under Premier League rules, is not allowed to take charge of their matches.
Yet, he can still be appointed to oversee games involving Liverpool’s direct rivals.
That is what frustrates many Arsenal fans.
In October 2024, Gillett was on VAR duty when Arsenal lost 2-0 at Bournemouth.
With just 30 minutes on the clock, William Saliba was shown a yellow card by Rob Jones (also not allowed to take charge of Liverpool matches because he is from the Wirral) for a foul on Evanilson, but Gillett, against VAR guidelines on when to get involved, advised a review.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The booking was upgraded to a straight red card, meaning Saliba missed Arsenal’s next match – against Liverpool.
For supporters, that incident is a clear example of how an official’s decision, even without refereeing Liverpool directly, can still affect the title race.
Gillett was also referee when Yerson Mosquera choked Kai Havertz last season before sticking his fingers between Gabriel Jesus’s arse cheeks. He remained on the pitch. He also made a number of controversial calls in a game against Chelsea.
mosquera chokes kai havertz
image via ESPN
Gillett’s Liverpool links are well established. He grew up a fan in Australia and later studied at Liverpool John Moores University.
Reports have long said he signed paperwork confirming he could not referee Liverpool games. That safeguard does nothing, however, to stop him being put in charge of their rivals.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Referee Jarred Gillett gestures during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
With Arsenal and Liverpool set to fight it out for the title once again, the decision to appoint him for the Leeds game, a week before facing Liverpool, is bound to raise questions.
Fans will again question why an official so openly tied to one club is allowed to referee fixtures that could directly affect their rivals’ season.
And, once again they will be told to be quiet, assured that referees, uniquely among humans, are immune to bias, even of the unconscious kind.
The standard for PGMOL should not simply be the absence of bias, but the absence of any suspicion of it.
On that measure, this appointment falls short yet again.
Officials for Arsenal vs Leeds United:
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistants: Wade Smith, Scott Ledger
Fourth official: Darren England
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies
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