Premier League Referee Robert Jones to Officiate Sunderland vs Watford Clash
As Sunderland gear up to face Watford in the Championship this weekend, the match official might be relieved there’s no VAR to contend with.
While many clubs focus on FA Cup fourth-round action, Sunderland will shift their attention solely to league matters, having been eliminated from the competition. Fresh off an impressive 3-2 victory over local rivals Middlesbrough, Regis Le Bris’ side will need to maintain that form to secure another crucial win against Watford on Saturday.
Although much of the focus will be on Sunderland’s lineup and performance, the spotlight could very well fall on the referee for this encounter.
Who Will Referee Sunderland vs Watford?
According to the EFL, Robert Jones will take charge of Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff between Sunderland and Watford. Assisting him on the day will be Ian Hussin and Neil Davies, with Lewis Smith serving as the fourth official.
A Look at Robert Jones’ Officiating Record
Jones is typically seen officiating in the Premier League. This season alone, he has overseen 16 matches—14 in the Premier League, along with one Championship fixture and one Carabao Cup tie.
So far, Jones has issued three red cards, all in top-flight matches, and handed out 74 yellow cards, averaging 4.24 bookings per game. He’s also awarded five penalties this season, including one during Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship clash with Millwall earlier this year.
Making History: The VAR Controversy Involving Robert Jones
Interestingly, Jones’ appointment to a Championship match comes not long after a controversial VAR-related incident in the Premier League. His most recent top-flight assignment was Leicester City’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, a relatively straightforward match from an officiating standpoint.
However, in the fixture before that—a 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge—Jones found himself at the center of an unprecedented VAR decision. During the match, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella was pulled down by Bournemouth’s David Brooks, who appeared to obstruct him and pull his hair. While Jones initially took no action, VAR advised him to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
After reviewing the footage, VAR recommended a red card for Brooks but left the final decision to Jones. In a surprising move, Jones overruled the VAR’s advice, opting to issue only a yellow card. According to the Daily Mail, this marked the first time a Premier League referee had disregarded a VAR recommendation for a red card, cementing Jones’ place in refereeing history.
Given the controversy surrounding that decision, it’s noteworthy that Jones has now been assigned to Championship duties. Hopefully, Saturday’s game at the Stadium of Light will be free from any similarly contentious moments—though Sunderland fans will no doubt be hoping for fair calls and no unexpected drama.
