Credit: Imago / Sky Sports News

Harri Burton

Sat 9 August 2025 14:40, UK

Southampton were right not to have a player sent off after Ronnie Edwards conceded a penalty against Wrexham.

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Phil Parkinson’s side took an early lead at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, 9 August, with Josh Windass, newly arrived from Sheffield Wednesday, slotting home from the penalty spot after Kieffer Moore was bundled over in the box.

The Reds, however, experienced a heartbreaking welcome-back to the Championship, as late goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens condemned them to an opening-day 2-1 loss.

Despite being given the opportunity to score the first goal of their campaign, there was a lot of discussion around a potential sending off for Ronnie Edwards, with the defender not even being sanctioned for the incident.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Will Still’s side were handed an early setback after being relegated back to the Championship last season, having won just two matches in a long 2024/25 Premier League season.

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Club star Tyler Dibling was not involved for Southampton due to his links with Everton, which has been a major talking point for the Saints, but with the season up and running, controversial incidents are beginning to show.

Wrexham were overjoyed by the decision, being given the chance to score from a spot-kick, but commentators continued to discuss the rules of denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).

There were a number of debatable incidents throughout the 96 minutes, but the Saints were able to overcome the frustrations to fire home a late double in front of their home fans.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty decision, the former referee said: “A clear penalty kick decision by referee James Bell, who was in an excellent position to point to the penalty mark.

“He then had to consider a sanction and, because of the proximity of the non-offending defender, it did not fulfil the criteria of a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Ronnie Edwards was punished for this push on Kieffer Moore.

(Credit: Sky Sports Football)

“The challenge was careless, and referee Bell was correct in not even issuing a yellow card.

A good piece of officiating.”

Wrexham next face Hull City in the EFL Cup before welcoming West Brom to the SToK Cae Ras on Saturday, 16 August, in what will be an emotional day for the supporters.

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