ARSENAL fans have been left fuming after claims the referee for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United is a local lad.
And there is also outrage following claims that the man in charge of VAR for the Premier League clash hails from the city too.
The Gunners face United looking to make it SIX wins from six to start the season.
But fans of Mikel Arteta’s side are sceptical going into the game.
Not only are United on a three game winning run of their own, some Arsenal supporters are unhappy with the choice of officials.
It has been claimed online that ref Paul Tierney, 41, is from Salford, just down the road from Old Trafford.
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Meanwhile VAR Lee Mason hails from Bolton, which is also in Greater Manchester.
Fans took to social media to vent their fury at the appointments.
One wrote: “Referee for Man Utd vs Arsenal is from Salford. Make it make sense.”
Another said: “Man Utd vs Arsenal. Paul Tierney from Manchester, the ref in charge of VAR from Manchester. We already know how it ends.”
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A third fumed: “Can’t wait to see Paul Tierney of Salford, Manchester, have a totally unbiased performance tomorrow as Arsenal travel to Manchester United.”
And one questioned: “How can you possibly get Paul Tierney and Lee Mason, Officials from Manchester to officiate a match with a team from Manchester?”
Despite claims Tierney is from Salford, the referee was actually born in Wigan.
Although the town is still in Greater Manchester, and only 20 odd miles away from Old Trafford.
Mason also has a short trip to get to the match, with Bolton being just over 10 miles away from the home of United.
The 50-year-old was at the centre of controversy today too while in charge of VAR for Newcastle’s match against Crystal Palace.
Toon had a goal disallowed for a Joe Willock foul, despite Palace star Tyrick Mitchell appearing to be the guilty man, after Mason advised referee Michael Salisbury to consult the monitor.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
