The match officials for the 2025 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final have been confirmed... Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistant Referees: Lee Betts and Neil Davies Fourth Official: Peter Bankes Reserve Assistant Referee: Wade Smith VAR: John Brooks AVAR: Timothy Wood
This was before the QPR game - where we actually won 3-0 away but we lost 2-1 at Rotherham next game and he was refereeing that one too. Kavanagh has officiated four Sunderland games in his career so far, and the Black Cats are yet to win with him in the middle, losing three and drawing one. Three of those four appearances came in the 17/18 season. Two in the Championship - a 3-0 loss to Barnsley and a 2-2 draw to Preston - while the other was a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the FA cup. He did send David Moyes to the stands at Southampton - so he's not all bad
I'd much rather we had a Premier League ref who we've coincidentally never won with, than a Championship ref we've coincidentally won lots with. Championship refs are ****e.
All refs are ****e. Until they have a howler go in your favour but probs no chance of that with VAR in operation. Then again........
Yes on subjective decisions, no consistency... also, Solanke goal being disallowed as his size 11s were bigger than the defender's size 9s. Piss poor.
Why is VAR being used in the most important game of the season in a league that hasn't used it in the previous 48 games....I find this really bizarre and hope it doesn't bite us in the arse.