Premier League sets up independent panel to review key refereeing decisions

Key Premier League refereeing decisions will be reviewed by a newly introduced independent panel, with findings to be sent to the 20 clubs.

Just 24 hours after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, Thomas Tuchel prompted Thomas Tuchel to rip referee Anthony Taylor for his performance at Stamford Bridge, sports mail can reveal that top clubs will now receive regular reports from professional game management officials on the quality of officiating – including errors made during matches.

The new panel includes three former players, a Premier League representative and a PGMOL official.

There have been a number of on-pitch clashes between the two groups of players at Stamford Bridge

Tuchel felt Chelsea should have been awarded a free-kick after Cristian Romero pulled the hair of Marc Cucurella (L) in the build-up to Tottenham’s second equaliser.

Frustrations spilled out onto the touchline as Tuchel and Antonio Conte clashed repeatedly

Recently retired referees Jon Moss and Martin Atkinson – who took on roles at PGMOL – are said to have the credentials to be part of the process.

The new measures are seen as a positive step towards greater transparency for clubs when it comes to referee decisions.

After the match, Tuchel asked Taylor not to name any future Chelsea matches following a series of calls from the referee which went against the Blues.

It is likely that Chelsea will wait for the report of their match against Spurs before deciding whether or not to formalize their complaints against Taylor.

However, the PGMOL are almost certain not to rule Taylor out of Chelsea games despite Tuchel’s comments.

Tuchel has requested that Anthony Taylor no longer be placed in charge of Chelsea matches

In the short term, Taylor is unlikely to take charge of games involving Tuchel’s side as the referees are in constant rotation, so they are not refereeing the same club in a short period of time.

But there are no plans to permanently remove Taylor from Blues games this season.

The new panel will usually meet on Thursdays, which means Chelsea won’t receive the findings of their game against Tottenham until towards the end of the week.

Meanwhile, the Football Association is investigating his remarks in which he appeared to question Taylor’s impartiality.

Taylor has a habit of angering Chelsea with his decisions having issued more yellow cards per game to Blues players than those of any other team, shown big-game red cards to Reece James and Mateo Kovacic.

A Harry Maguire stamp on Michy Batshuayi was also among a number of incidents the Blues feel they overlooked.

Taylor decided to reject Kai Havertz’s appeal for a foul in the build-up to Spurs’ first goal

On Sunday, Taylor decided to ignore Kai Havertz’s call for a foul after a Rodrigo Bentancur challenge preceded Spurs’ first equaliser, while officials also ignored Richarlison’s offside as Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg equalized.

Spurs defender Cristian Romero pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair before Harry Kane scored a last-minute leveler also infuriated Chelsea.

And after the match, Tuchel said: ‘Tuchel said: ‘Today? Yes [I have more of a problem with the referee].

‘Maybe it would be better [if he does not referee another Chelsea game]. I do not think that [only] some fans think that [Taylor has made bad decisions against Chelsea].

“I can assure you that the whole dressing room, every person thinks that. The players know what is happening and they are on the pitch. Sure [they are worried when he takes charge of one of our games].

Tuchel claimed poor refereeing cost his side all three points against Tottenham

‘Both [Spurs] the goals don’t have to hold and then it’s a fair result. I can’t coach but the referee can whistle the next game. Good.’

And Tuchel’s comments have now triggered an FA probe.

Tuchel is also waiting to find out if he and Spurs boss Antonio Conte face an FA charge for the heated exchanges that overshadowed Sunday’s clash.

The pair had to be separated twice at Stamford Bridge, with both eventually being shown red cards by Taylor.

The FA will consider the referee’s report today before deciding whether to open a hotspot inquiry, although it seems likely the pair will find themselves in trouble with the governing body.

The new measures were introduced at the start of the season and the clubs have already received the report from the first round of matches.