Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Mon 11 May 2026 10:19, UK

Jay Bothroyd believes Brian Brobbey should not have been penalised for a foul on Luke Shaw.

Sunderland secured what was an excellent point against an in-form Man United on Saturday, though it could have been so much more.

The Black Cats dominated the majority of the game, but just couldn’t show their quality in the final third when it mattered.

With that said, there were several moments of controversy that went against Regis Le Bris’ side on the day, with Brobbey again in the thick of it.

The Sunderland striker was penalised for a foul on Shaw in the United penalty area, a decision that baffled everyone in the Stadium of Light.

What did Jay Bothroyd say about Brian Brobbey foul?

Refereeing inconsistency is the main talking point in the Premier League this season, especially after West Ham’s defeat against Arsenal.

But Sunderland have felt the brunt of it on their return to the top flight, and Brobbey has more often than not been at the centre of it.

The Dutchman is arguably the strongest player in the Premier League, and yet he always gets penalised for using his strength, while getting nothing in his favour, and that was the case against the Red Devils.

Just as the ball came into the penalty area, Shaw, who was facing away from the ball with his hands around Brobbey, went to ground and won the free kick.

When discussing the incident via Ref Watch, Bothroyd disagreed with Dermot Gallagher, who claimed it was the right decision.

He said: “I am looking at it from a forward’s point of view, Brobbey is turning to try to look where he is going, and then it becomes a point where Shaw is not looking at the ball, and you will probably say well that is because Brobbey is holding him, but Shaw is holding him as well.

“If they are both being fair, Shaw is not going to beat Brobbey in a physical duel, so he has to do everything he can to stop him getting to the ball, and I think that is the wrong decision, and Brobbey should have been given the benefit of the doubt.”

Brobbey was also involved in another moment of controversy

Plenty has been made of Nilson Angulo’s challenge on Bruno Fernandes, but nothing has been made of Lisandro Martinez’s challenge on Brobbey.

The Argentine seemed to swing an arm towards the face of the Dutchman, who, understandably, went to ground, only to see play waved on.

VAR failed to intervene, not for the first time, leaving Sunderland supporters and players baffled.

Unsurprisingly, that incident was not mentioned in the BBC’s coverage of the game, nor via Sky Sports’ Ref Watch.

For even more Sunderland news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.