The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled that referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Craig Pawson were correct not to award a penalty to Amad Diallo during the match between Manchester United and Bournemouth on April 2, 2026. The panel’s decision came after a split 3:2 vote, concluding that the contact made by Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert on Diallo was not impactful enough to warrant a foul.
Diallo went down inside the penalty area after the contact, prompting appeals from Manchester United. However, Attwell waved away the claims, and shortly thereafter, Bournemouth equalized the match, making the score 1-1 in the 67th minute, following a previous goal that had put them 2-0 down.
The panel noted that the contact did not meet the high threshold required for a foul, stating, “While Truffert ran a risk, the contact made was not impactful and therefore fell below the high threshold for a foul.” This assessment has fueled ongoing discussions about the consistency of officiating in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s manager, expressed frustration over the perceived double standards in penalty decisions, stating, “To give one and not give the other, I can’t get my head around it, I think it’s crazy.” He further remarked, “It’s far too easy to give decisions against United,” highlighting a sentiment among some fans and analysts regarding the treatment of the club by referees.
The incident has drawn significant attention and controversy in the aftermath of the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The KMI Panel’s ruling has not only reignited debates about the use of VAR but also raised questions about the criteria used by referees when making such critical decisions.
Earlier in the match, a penalty awarded to Bournemouth was deemed correct by the same panel, illustrating the complexities involved in officiating. The contrasting decisions have led to calls for greater transparency and consistency in how penalties are adjudicated in the Premier League.
As the season progresses, observers will be watching closely to see if this incident influences future officiating standards and whether similar situations arise in upcoming matches. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the review process for penalty decisions.