Former Premier League striker criticizes Howard Webb live on Sky Sports

Jay Bothroyd, a former Premier League striker, recently went viral after calling out Pro Ref chief Howard Webb during a live broadcast on Sky Sports. This incident followed the controversial officiating in the Manchester derby, where Erling Haaland's winning goal was allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernandez being offside in the buildup. The VAR officials, Matt Donohue and Blake Antrobus, were subsequently stood down from their duties for the following weekend due to this mistake.
Bothroyd, who has played for clubs including Cardiff and Wolves, expressed his frustration with the officiating standards during the broadcast. He engaged in a heated exchange with ex-referee Dermot Gallagher, who had defended the officials by stating that they "know the law inside out". Bothroyd countered this by questioning, "Why did they get it wrong then?"
When Gallagher suggested that the officials likely "lost focus", Bothroyd responded emphatically, saying, "This is the thing. To me, that is unacceptable. You can't lose focus. That is their job. Their only job is to look at this - they are under no pressure, they are in a room." He further criticized the practice of apologizing after poor decisions, arguing that the consequences could be severe for managers like Michael Carrick, who could face job loss due to such mistakes.
Sky Sports aired a clip in which Howard Webb stated that a similar incident in a derby match three years ago "shouldn't happen again". Bothroyd took this opportunity to invite Webb to appear live on air, insisting, "You need to come and speak to me live on this show about this incident. Because I need to know this." He emphasized that the rules are clear yet not being adhered to, adding, "They are digging themselves a bigger hole by trying to explain it."
Despite Gallagher's defense of the officials, Bothroyd's remarks resonated with many viewers who supported his candid stance. One viewer commented on social media, praising Bothroyd's determination, calling it "GOATed behaviour". Others expressed their admiration for his integrity and analytical skills, with one saying he deserves a standing ovation.
Webb is known for regularly appearing on the pre-recorded TNT Sports show "Match Officials: Mic'd Up", where he analyzes refereeing calls from recent matches. Following this incident, Bothroyd's call for better accountability in officiating continues to be a hot topic in football discussions.