Some Southampton fans have been discussing the idea of a ‘big-club bias’ from referees after their 3-2 loss to Tottenham in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
The loss to Spurs saw a controversial moment go Tottenham’s way late in the game. Heung-Min Son won a penalty after Angus Gunn appeared to have brought him down in the box. The South Korean then stepped up to score and win Tottenham the game.
Is there a big club bias in the Premier League?
Yes, I'm very sure
It is mad to think that way
But a Saints fan posted about it on Twitter, which got many Saints fans talking and giving their opinion.
Just as I thought.Son went down as if he was shot by a sniper.
Big clubs always get the decisions and Bertrand was fouled in the box as well.
Cheated again.— DREW LUTTON (@ports57) February 6, 2020
Love of the Top six like normal
— Daniel Heal (@daniel_heal) February 6, 2020
In the words of Jose Mourinho:
“The referees are afraid to give decisions to us. They have a campaign against us”— Josh The Saint (@JoshTheSaint1) February 5, 2020
After the last two games I’m really not a fan of VAR #bigclubbias #SaintsFC
— James Langdon (@James_Langdon1) February 5, 2020
Because we aren’t a big team with a vocal manager
— Brad (@BradSaintsfc) February 5, 2020
Because it’s big team bias….it’s no coincidence !!
— Terry (@Bennett2Terry) February 5, 2020
Transfermarkt’s Premier League disciplinary record table suggests Southampton have the seventh-best disciplinary record in the division. The Saints have picked up 37 yellow cards in total as well as two red cards.
But having said that, Spurs are second-bottom in the disciplinary table, only above Arsenal with the second-worst disciplinary record in the Premier League. They have picked up 53 yellow cards and a total of three red cards during the campaign.
What do we think?
The Premier League disciplinary record table shows that Southampton fans might just be taking things a step to far by saying that there is a big-club bias in the Premier League. Two of the so-called ‘big clubs’ find themselves in the bottom two and that says a lot about the decision-making not being slanted towards particular teams.