The football world has descended into chaos tonight after referee Simon Hooper sensationally broke his silence in the wake of Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United.
In an unprecedented revelation to Fabrizio Romano, Hooper made one of the most staggering confessions ever heard from a Premier League official—admitting that the decision to send off Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was not truly his own.
“I never wanted to give that as a red,” Hooper revealed. “I know the fans are furious, but I’ll be honest—I’d rather lose my job than keep letting this injustice carry on. Liverpool—and him in particular—have influence in the VAR control room. That’s why I was told to change it to red. Don’t blame me, blame him. The cheating has to stop.”
His explosive remarks have sent shockwaves through social media, with millions stunned at the suggestion that Liverpool hold sway over VAR decisions. The thinly veiled reference to Virgil van Dijk—already under scrutiny after recent controversies—has only fueled the uproar.
Newcastle fans are demanding a full investigation into VAR and the officials involved in the match, while Liverpool supporters are slamming Hooper’s words as “excuses” and “a disgrace,” accusing him of shirking responsibility for his own calls.
Pundits are calling this the most serious refereeing scandal in years, warning that the integrity of the Premier League could be at stake. Should Hooper’s claims prove true, it may trigger one of the most damaging crises in English football history.
Tonight, Simon Hooper’s outburst has set justice and power on a collision course—and perhaps, just perhaps, blown the lid off a storm the league may struggle to contain.
