BREAKING NEWS: Professional Game Match Officials Limited have reportedly SUSPENDED Stuart Attwell for TWO matches and issued a €17,000 fine following controversial decisions in a recent game

Stuart Attwell Reportedly Suspended Following ‘Baffling’ Decisions

In a move that signals a massive crackdown on officiating standards, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has reportedly handed down a two-match suspension and a €17,000 fine to referee Stuart Attwell.

The disciplinary action comes in the wake of a “refereeing nightmare” that has left managers and fans across the Premier League demanding accountability.

The Bournemouth vs. Man United Scandal

While Attwell has been a lightning rod for controversy before (most notably with Nottingham Forest last season), the final straw appears to be the recent clash between Manchester United and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Michael Carrick was left “astonished” after Attwell waved away a stone-wall penalty claim for Amad Diallo, only for Bournemouth to score on the counter-attack seconds later. To make matters worse, Attwell later awarded a penalty for a nearly identical foul on Matheus Cunha, leading to accusations of a total lack of consistency.

The KMI Panel Split

The suspension follows a tense review by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel. While the panel technically backed Attwell’s decision on the Amad incident with a narrow 3-2 vote, the sheer level of public outcry and the “improper” handling of the game’s momentum have forced Howard Webb’s hand.

Why the Heavy Fine?

The reported €17,000 fine is an unusually high figure for an official, suggesting that the disciplinary measures extend beyond just a missed foul. Insiders hint that the PGMOL was unhappy with the “lack of communication” between Attwell and VAR Craig Pawson during the game’s most pivotal moments, which led to a breakdown in the VAR protocol.

Carrick’s Fury and the Maguire Red Card

The fallout from Attwell’s officiating hasn’t just affected the league table; it has decimated United’s squad. Harry Maguire was sent off by Attwell in the same match for a controversial challenge on Evanilson a decision United fans have labeled “hypocritical” given the earlier non-call on Amad.

With Maguire now suspended for the upcoming clash against Leeds, United lodged an official complaint that seems to have played a role in this reported PGMOL crackdown.

What Happens Next?

Attwell is expected to miss the next two rounds of Premier League fixtures. While PGMOL rarely makes public statements regarding internal fines, the removal of Attwell from the upcoming match list is a clear sign that the “High Threshold” for VAR and officiating is under serious review.