Robert Jones to Officiate Sunderland vs Watford: A Premier League Referee Under Championship Spotlight
As Sunderland prepare to face Watford in the Championship this weekend, the spotlight may not just be on the players but also on the referee, Robert Jones. With no VAR in play, Jones will have full control over the match’s decisions—something he may welcome after a recent controversial incident in the Premier League.
Unlike many clubs who will be taking part in the FA Cup fourth round, Sunderland are focused solely on their Championship campaign, looking to build on their thrilling 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough in their previous outing. However, Regis Le Bris’ side will need to be at their very best to overcome a strong Watford team.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this match, however, is the appointment of Robert Jones as the referee. Ordinarily, Jones is a Premier League official, and his involvement in a Championship fixture this weekend has raised eyebrows, particularly given his recent run-in with VAR controversy.
Who is Robert Jones?
Born on April 4, 1987, in Merseyside, England, Robert Jones has established himself as one of the more experienced referees in English football. Having joined the English Football League (EFL) in 2016, he was later promoted to officiate in the Premier League in 2019.
Jones’ performances saw him rise further in the refereeing ranks, earning a place on FIFA’s list of international referees in 2023. As a result, he is now eligible to officiate international and UEFA club competitions. However, despite his growing reputation, recent events in the Premier League have made him a topic of debate.
Robert Jones’ Record in the 2024/25 Season
So far this season, Robert Jones has officiated 16 matches, with 14 of those in the Premier League, one in the Championship, and one in the Carabao Cup. His officiating stats include:
74 yellow cards issued (an average of 4.24 per game)
3 red cards, all given in the Premier League
5 penalties awarded
His only other Championship game this season was Sheffield Wednesday vs. Millwall, in which he awarded a penalty. Given the physical nature of the Championship, Jones’ tendency to hand out yellow cards could be something for both Sunderland and Watford to consider.
VAR Controversy: The Decision That Made History
While Jones has officiated many matches without issue, he recently became part of Premier League history for rejecting a VAR recommendation—something no referee had done before.
During Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella was breaking away on a counter-attack when he was brought down by Bournemouth’s David Brooks, who seemingly obstructed him and pulled his hair.
At first, Jones did not penalize the incident, but he was later advised by VAR to check the footage on the pitchside monitor. After reviewing the replay, VAR recommended a red card for Brooks. However, Jones opted to disregard the recommendation and instead issued a yellow card.
This marked the first time in Premier League history that a referee had rejected a VAR recommendation for a red card, making Jones part of refereeing history, whether he likes it or not.
His next match after that controversy was Leicester City’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, a fixture that passed without any major refereeing incidents. Still, the fact that Jones is now officiating in the Championship this weekend has led some to speculate whether this assignment is a reaction to the Bournemouth incident.
Jones’ Role in Sunderland vs Watford
With no VAR in the Championship, Jones will not have to worry about outside interference in his decision-making. This means that whatever calls he makes on the pitch will be final, which could be a relief for a referee who has recently faced intense scrutiny.
His team of officials for the Sunderland vs. Watford game includes:
Assistant referees: Ian Hussin and Neil Davies
Fourth official: Lewis Smith
Given that Sunderland are coming off a fierce 3-2 win over Middlesbrough, tensions may be high, and Jones will need to keep control of the game. With his tendency to issue yellow cards and his willingness to stand by his decisions, both Sunderland and Watford will need to be careful in their challenges.
While Jones’ presence adds another layer of intrigue to the game, Sunderland’s focus will be on securing all three points as they push for a promotion playoff spot.
Final Thoughts
It remains to be seen whether Jones’ assignment to a Championship fixture is a one-off or whether he will continue to feature outside of the Premier League in the coming weeks. Either way, all eyes will be on him during the Sunderland vs. Watford match—especially given his recent refereeing history.
With no VAR to review decisions, Jones will have full control over proceedings, and Sunderland will hope to avoid any refereeing controversies as they look to build on their momentum in the Championship.
For both teams, the focus will be on securing three crucial points—but for Robert Jones, it might just be about having a quiet afternoon at the Stadium of Light.