- Darren England will remain as VAR for Crystal Palace’s clash with Brentford
- 39-year-old was criticised after not overturning red card in Arsenal vs Wolves
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why the Arsenal players will be laughing at Mikel Arteta behind his back
Darren England will serve as the video assistant referee as Crystal Palace play host to Brentford on Sunday.
England was one of the officials to come under the microscope earlier this weekend after Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off in Arsenal’s clash with Wolves.
As Vitor Pereira’s side attempted to break away from a set piece, Lewis-Skelly brought down Matt Doherty and was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver on the cusp of half time.
The decision provoked an outraged reaction from the Arsenal players, but any hopes of a reprieve from VAR were quickly dashed.
Serving as VAR, England upheld the on-field decision, with the PGMOL’s Match Centre account on X later confirming that the challenge had been deemed as ‘serious foul play’.
The decision was later criticised by the likes of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and club legend Ian Wright.
Darren England will serve as the video assistant referee for Crystal Palace’s clash with Brentford
As the VAR in Arsenal’s clash with Wolves on Saturday, England upheld Michael Oliver’s controversial decision to send Myles Lewis-Skelly off
Alan Shearer slammed the decision and insisted he ‘cannot work out’ what England was thinking
Alan Shearer joined the chorus of criticism, calling the red card ‘one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time’ and delivering a scathing assessment of the standard of officiating in the top flight.
‘As a referee you can get it wrong on the pitch, you might see something which is incorrect,’ Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘How on earth Darren England, the VAR, thinks that the referee has got that right and there is no need to send him to the screen.’
He continued: ‘I just cannot see and work out what VAR is thinking going along with Michael Oliver’s decision. No wonder it gets criticised by so many people.’
However, despite the significant backlash surrounding the incident, England has remained in his post for his originally assignment at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Oliver Glasner’s side enter the clash in the midst of a strong run of form, having suffered just a single defeat in their last 11 Premier League fixtures.
