Ex-Premier League ref names two grounds that 'officiating bias' was hardest to avoid at

Former Premier League referee Graham Scott has admitted that officiating bias ‘could exist, subconsciously’ and named the two stadiums hardest to referee at neutrally.

Scott claimed that VAR offers evidence of “some home bias going on… VAR tends to be correcting more in favour of the away team, because there are more errors against [them].”

The ex-referee then named Everton’s former stadium, Goodison Park, as the “most hostile” Premier League ground, and the hardest to officiate at neutrally, alongside Old Trafford.

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Former referee explains why Goodison Park was the hardest ground to officiate at neutrally in the Premier League

Speaking with The Athletic, Scott began by explaining how such bias could exist, claiming: “Of course it could be a thing… it’s subconscious; I may not even know it’s there!”

The 58-year-old, who served as a Premier League official for ten years between 2015 and 2025, explained that such bias isn’t organised, and that referees don’t consciously favour certain teams.

“I don’t know where the truth lies,” admitted Scott. “The evidence of VAR would actually suggest there is some home bias going on, in that VAR tends to be correcting more in favour of the away team. So there is something in it.

“I’m not sure about the bigger club, but then I would say that, wouldn’t I?” joked the 58-year-old. “There’s certainly no organised sense of, ‘We need to look after these people’ or not look after them.

Scott was then asked whether there were any specific stadiums, or clubs, where it was tougher to officiate neutrally, to which the ex-Premier League referee immediately answered: Goodison Park.

“The most hostile ground used to be Goodison,” proclaimed Scott. “Partly because of its geography, everything was very tight.

“And partly because people in the crowd were all up for the game. But Goodison was always really tight; I guess in your own mind you need to be strong, be resolute, and make sure you do the right thing.

The 58-year-old also described the Toffees’ former ground as “brilliant,” acknowledging it as one of his favourite stadiums to visit - “A great place to referee, and a great atmosphere.”

The ex-Premier League official then turned his attention to Manchester United, describing it as another English venue in which neutral officiating was made complicated.

“Old Trafford became very sanitised for a time, where it just felt like everyone was waiting to be entertained, or only there to complain about owners rather than the referee.

“From a refereeing point of view, it could be quite straightforward,” admitted Scott, who used this contrast, examining how Manchester United’s ground has changed, to illustrate its once hostile nature.

In light of these admissions, a look back through the Premier League archives sees Scott tied to a controversial decision at Goodison Park in 2017.

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Revisiting ex-Premier League referee’s controversial decision at Goodison Park after ‘officiating bias’ admission

The now 58-year-old once awarded a penalty to Everton in injury time at their home venue, as the Toffees converted and won 3-2 versus Watford.

The hosts trailed 2-0 in the 65th-minute, but strikes from Oumar Niasse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Leighton Baines’ last-minute penalty secured victory at Goodison.

Scott gave the hosts their penalty after Watford defender Jose Holebas slipped in the penalty area, colliding with Aaron Lennon.

After the match, Watford boss Marco Silva hit out at Scott’s harsh decision to award the spot kick, but acknowledged that “it wasn’t easy” for the referee to get right.

"It's a harsh decision," the Portuguese manager claimed. "It's not even easy for the referee [to make a decision]. Holebas didn't even want to take the ball, he followed the player." Footage of the incident can be found on YouTube.

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