James Maddison: Officials 'petrified' by VAR after denied stoppage-time penalty vs Leeds
James Maddison says referees are 'petrified' to make decisions after being denied a stoppage-time penalty against Leeds, arguing VAR has made officials hesitant.
Who: James Maddison. What: He accused match officials of being 'petrified' to make decisions because of VAR after being denied a stoppage-time penalty in a game with Leeds. When: Comments were reported on May 12, 2026. Why it matters: Maddison's critique adds to ongoing debate about VAR's impact on refereeing confidence and high-stakes decisions in the Premier League.
Maddison's accusation and the denied penalty
James Maddison told reporters, according to Sky Sports, that officials are 'petrified' to make decisive calls following an incident in stoppage time when he was denied a penalty against Leeds. The claim centres on how the presence of VAR has altered referee behaviour, making them more hesitant to award — or overturn — key decisions.
Why it matters for refereeing and VAR debates
Maddison's comments speak to wider concerns about the interplay between on-field referees and VAR teams. If officials alter their willingness to make split-second calls because they fear intervention or scrutiny, that could change how games are managed in stoppage time and at crucial moments, affecting results and the flow of matches.
- Source: Sky Sports Football (May 12, 2026) reporting Maddison's comments.
- Claim: Maddison said officials are 'petrified' to make decisions due to VAR.
- Context: The remark followed a stoppage-time incident in which Maddison was denied a penalty against Leeds.
What the available reporting does not confirm
The supplied source metadata does not include the precise match score, a full transcript of Maddison's quotes, referee or VAR statements, or any disciplinary follow-up. It also does not state whether the club or the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have responded. Those facts should be checked in the original Sky Sports article or complementary reports before publication or if quoting Maddison directly.
What happens next
Maddison's comments are likely to contribute to ongoing discussions about VAR's role in the Premier League. Further reporting from refereeing bodies, club statements, or fuller match coverage would be needed to establish the wider fallout from this incident.