The Premier League Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel is in the news once again.
The KMI panel has five members, made up of three former players and/or coaches, plus one representative each from the Premier League and PGMOL.
It was set up at the start of the 2022/23 season to give an independent assessment of decision-making rather than relying on the views of PGMOL or the clubs themselves.
The judgement is intended to provide an arm’s-length assessment of all major match incidents but gives weight to the decision of the referee in subjective situations, taking into account the laws of the game and the Premier League’s interpretation.
Anyway, the Premier League Independent Key Match Incidents Panel are making headlines again, this time regarding incidents in the last round of matches.
Making the most headlines has been their findings on the Liverpool ‘goal’ that was disallowed when Andy Robertson ducked, Man City going on to win that match 3-0.
However, the Premier League Key Match Incidents Panel have also looked at the Brentford v Newcastle match that was also played in that most recent round of PL games.
BBC Sport report on Premier League Key Match Incidents Panel – 20 November 2025:
The KMI Panel did log a VAR error in the Brentford v Newcastle game, when Dango Ouattara was booked for simulation after claiming a penalty following a challenge by Dan Burn in the 61st minute.
“The panel were unanimous in their view that Burn commits a careless tripping offence on Outtara and that a penalty kick should have been awarded,” the report noted.
“The panel were however split regarding the VAR outcome, with the majority feeling this was a clear and obvious error (2:3) due to the footage showing a clear error in not awarding a penalty. The two other members felt that the referee’s call should stand as this was not a clear and obvious error as the contact was glancing.”
My thoughts
I still think both incidents were clear dives by the Brentford players.
The home side were definitely the better team on the day and Newcastle United deserved to lose, however, the penalty that was given and the red card for Dan Burn were farcical, in my eyes anyway.