Ref Watch: Rooney didn’t dive

The Premier League returned with a bang this weekend, and there were plenty of contentious incidents alongside a gripping set of opening fixtures.

Former top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher joined Tom White in the Sky Sports News HQ studio to go through the major talking points from the Premier League as well as a unique occurrence in the Sky Bet Championship.

So, from penalty appeals and offside goals to the introduction of this season’s football law changes, here’s the best of the first Ref Watch of the season…

Rooney penalty appeal

INCIDENT: Wayne Rooney clashes legs with Andrew Surman inside the area and goes down. No penalty is given, and no yellow card for simulation.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Correct decision.

DERMOT SAYS: This is a good call to be honest. It’s not a foul and it’s not a dive. If you look closely, Rooney’s knee clashes with Surman’s.

The players have come together and Rooney has gone to ground – it’s a natural reaction, it’s not a foul. People have said Rooney should have been booked for simulation but it’s definitely not a dive.

Huddlestone on Gray penalty

INCIDENT: Tom Huddlestone first makes contact with Demarai Gray outside of the area. Gray goes down in the area, penalty given.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Incorrect decision.

DERMOT SAYS: When you look at it it is outside of the penalty area. It’s a shame because it was in the opening game of the season and it was the only refereeing error in the game.

You can understand why Mike Dean has given it, it’s so close to the edge of the area and Gray’s next step take him into the box. I can understand the decision but, if we forensically diagnose the situation, it’s a free-kick and not a penalty.

Shay Given yellow card

INCIDENT: Shay Given rushes towards the referee to contest a decision, and is booked for dissent.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: …

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