Controversial Community Shield official on VAR for United-Arsenal clash
The Premier League have confirmed their match officials for the opening weekend of fixtures, including Arsenal’s trip to face Manchester United on Sunday.
Paul Tierney
Name: Paul Tierney
Origin: Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Career Highlights
- Began refereeing at the local level before progressing to the National List of Referees in 2009.
- Promoted to officiate in the Football League (Championship, League One, League Two) in 2014.
- Made Premier League debut in December 2014 (Crystal Palace vs. Stoke City).
- Became a regular fixture as a Premier League referee.
- Officiated high-profile matches, including Merseyside and North London derbies.
- Selected as the referee for the 2021 FA Community Shield (Manchester City vs. Leicester City).
- Appointed as the referee for the 2023 FA Cup Final.
- Gained experience with VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology, serving both as the on-field referee and in the VAR role.
Refereeing Style:
- Known for a refereeing style that prioritises maintaining the flow of the game.
- Typically issues yellow and red cards at a rate in line with or slightly below the Premier League average.
Additional Notes:
- Like all referees, Tierney has faced criticism for certain decisions and calls.
- The subjective nature of some VAR decisions means his judgment has occasionally been a subject of debate.
Arsenal-Wolves ref confirmed as Premier League launch new communication system
Jarred Gillett is set to referee Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixture against Wolves on Saturday, with Paul Tierney on VAR duties.
Same referee to take United-Arsenal clash as last season
Paul Tierney will referee Arsenal’s trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend, the Premier League have confirmed.
Referee ‘punished’ by being put on Arsenal game
Paul Tierney’s apparent punishment for a mistake in Liverpool’s weekend win is that he’ll be on VAR in Arsenal’s match against Brentford on Saturday.
Controversy looms as referee assigned to Arsenal vs Newcastle grudge match
Arsenal have learned which referee will take this weekend’s match against Newcastle United, with the Gunners out for revenge after perceived injustices in the reverse fixture.
Referee for Arsenal v Palace has history of poor Arsenal decisions
Arsenal face Crystal Palace with referee Paul Tierney officiating, stirring memories of previous controversial decisions that have upset Arsenal fans.
Constantine Hatzidakis suspended until 2 investigations conclude
Controversial elbow incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis has implications for Arsenal and raises questions on refereeing integrity.
Arsenal charged for protesting incorrect penalty and red card v Leeds
Arsenal have been charged for their part in the drama against Leeds caused by the referee getting both the penalty call and red card decision wrong.
Why Gabriel’s red card vs Leeds United didn’t stay red
Chris Kavanagh sent Gabriel off in injury time of the second half of Arsenal’s game against Leeds United but then overturned it and gave him a yellow with some wondering why it didn’t stay red, anyway?
Referee proved correct to wait for VAR in Leeds vs Arsenal
Arsenal were more than a little fortunate to get away with the points at Elland Road but the referee was proved right to wait almost 40 minutes to get their tech working as he got both penalty calls wrong and needed VAR to save him.
Martin Odegaard: I barely touched him
Arsenal’s afternoon might have unfolded differently if Greater Manchester’s Lee Mason on VAR hadn’t told Salford’s Paul Tierney to have a look at Christian Eriksen falling over and even Martin Odegaard has no clue why it was called back.
3 reds in 3 seasons: Salford referee for Manchester United vs Arsenal
Paul Tierney has been appointed referee for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United this weekend and it will come as something of a surprise to learn that he hails from just three miles away from Old Trafford, but that’s the least of Arsenal’s problems with him.
Mixed bag of officials for Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth as Mike Dean says ‘I was wrong’
Craig Pawson will take charge of Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday and he will be ‘assisted’ by Paul Tierney on VAR.
Mark Clattenburg wouldn’t have given ‘defining’ Tottenham penalty
Former referee, Mark Clattenburg, says that he wouldn’t have given Spurs the penalty Paul Tierney awarded on Thursday night and pondered why we never see that sort of thing given in other games.
Antonio Conte moans about Mikel Arteta moaning
Antonio Conte, who moaned for months about Arsenal after the January postponement, has told Mikel Arteta not to complain so much after Thursday night’s game.
Leicester 15 fouls, 2 yellows, Arsenal 3 fouls, 1 yellow
Against Leicester, Arsenal once again found that their opponents can foul with relative impunity while the Gunners are punished almost immediately.
Horror refereeing team for Arsenal vs Sheffield United
Arsenal will face Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon with Mike Dean in charge, Lee Mason as the fourth official and Martin Atkinson running the VAR.
Same old Arsenal, always cheated
Look, let’s be clear from the start. I don’t think there is an anti-Arsenal refereeing bias or conspiracy.