Referee Banned from Arsenal vs Man Utd Matches
The highly anticipated match between Arsenal and Manchester United is set to take place at the Emirates Stadium on January 29, 2026. This Premier League encounter has garnered attention, particularly because of the referee, Craig Pawson, who is banned from officiating games involving clubs from Sheffield.
Craig Pawson: Referee Overview
Craig Pawson, at 46 years old, has been a part of the Premier League officiating team since 2013. He is known for his reliability and has overseen several high-stakes games, including:
- Championship play-off finals
- FA Cup semi-finals
- Champions League and Europa League fixtures
However, under the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) regulations, Pawson is precluded from refereeing matches involving his favorite teams, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. This policy aims to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest.
Current Status of Sheffield Clubs
This season has been difficult for Sheffield United, who finished with just 16 points, leading to relegation. They are currently placed 17th in the Championship. In contrast, Sheffield Wednesday is struggling to remain in the Championship following significant financial issues, resulting in several points deductions.
Referee Regulations and Integrity
In response to concerns about conflict of interest, the PGMOL has enacted stricter regulations. Referees and their families must now declare any affiliations with particular clubs to enhance transparency in officiating.
Pawson’s Recent Performance
So far this season, Craig Pawson has officiated 15 matches, including:
- 12 in the Premier League
- 2 in the Carabao Cup
- 1 in the Championship
During these games, he has shown a total of 36 yellow cards and two red cards, averaging 2.4 yellow cards per match. His last game officiating Arsenal was a 2-2 draw against Sunderland, while he previously refereed Manchester United in their 3-1 loss to Brentford.
Team Updates Ahead of the Match
As Arsenal gears up for this crucial match, manager Mikel Arteta is optimistic about the return of Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie from injuries. Calafiori has been sidelined for the last eight games, and Hincapie last played on January 8, 2026, in a goalless draw against Liverpool.
On the other side, Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt is still out due to injury, but they have welcomed back Noussair Mazraoui from the Africa Cup of Nations. Youngster Shea Lacey will also be available after a suspension.
As kickoff approaches, both teams and their fans are excited for what is expected to be a thrilling chapter in this historic rivalry.
