Phil SumblerTuesday night’s referee is Matthew Donohue. He will take charge of the Swans for just the second time this season, the other being the 1-0 win over Rotherham at the Liberty back in November.
He has 21 Championship games under his belt so far this season, with 60 yellow cards and 4 reds being the total card count for the referee who was appointed to the Select Group 2 officials list at the start of the 2019/20 season.
He started refereeing at the age of 14 and was appointed to the list of assistant referees in 2014. He ‘hung up his flag’ in 2016 to concentrate on refereeing and has steadily climbed through the ranks – National Leagues North and South in 2016, National League National and Premier League 2 in 2017 and National Group (EFL Leagues One and Two) in 2018.
He left his job as a PE Teacher when he was promoted to the Select Group 2 list. Shortly after his appointment he found himself at the centre of controversy in a game between West Brom and Charlton when he sent off the wrong player.
There were just twenty minutes of the game in question to go when the bizarre incident happened.
Donohue tried to send Grady Diangana off, for a foul committed by Nathan Ferguson. The Baggies defender put in a rash tackle on Chris Solly, but rather than send him off, he proceeded to show the card to the West Ham loanee.
After protestations from Bilic and his players, he overturned the decision, eventually coming to the correct decision. The annoyance of West Brom was only then increased when he awarded Charlton a late (soft looking) penalty to earn them a point and deny the Baggies a home win.
“It’s nothing personal, but the problem comes when they tell you, you can’t talk about the referee,” Bilic said when asked about Donohue’s performance.
“I can, in a nice way or whatever, I can be permitted to give my opinion.
“Especially games like this, with the greatest respect to Charlton, it was a decision that took away the win for us.
“It doesn’t matter if I am West Brom manager – that is not a penalty.
“That is beyond me to be fair.
“Seriously I feel sorry for him (Donohue),” he continued.
“I know it’s difficult. I am the first one to say we need VAR.
“We need VAR because it’s difficult for them – wow what a job they have to do.”
Donohue will be assisted by Nik Barnard and Rob Smith whilst Geoff Eltringham is fourth official.
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