'Oh my days, wow' - Sky Sports pundit stunned by Burnley v Sunderland controversy as Scott Parker furious
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Credit: Sky Sports Football
Harri Burton
Sat 23 August 2025 18:47, UK
Scott Parker was angry on the touchlines as Mike Dean and Kris Boyd debated Burnley’s disallowed goal against Sunderland.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett blamed VAR for Lyle Foster’s push on Jenson Seelt, and the situation has only been discussed further on Saturday, 23 August.
Referee Michael Salisbury blew his whistle almost instantly as the Black Cats’ centre-back, who had replaced the early-departed Daniel Ballard, appeared to be bundled to the floor at Turf Moor.
Parker’s side were incensed by the decision, and so too was the manager, but luckily for the Clarets, efforts from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony meant all three points remained in Lancashire.
Matters could have been much worse for the Black Cats, and Boyd certainly believes that Burnley’s opening goal deserved to count, though Dean was far more on the fence.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News (23 August, 3:19pm), Boyd said: “There’s not a lot in that, Mike,” to which Dean explained: “There’s not a lot, but he’s made an on-field decision.”
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Boyd replied as he saw the replay, “Oh my days!
He’s got away with one here.
He’s got away with one,” to which Dean responded, “It’s a 50-50, I think if he doesn’t give it the VAR will probably check it, but because he’s given it the VAR can’t get involved.”
After agreeing that Salisbury could have allowed play to go on before checking the incident, Boyd later said, “Scott Parker’s not happy and I can understand why.
Mike’s had a closer look at it…
“But the referee blows the whistle after the ball’s in the net, but they’ve obviously checked it and they’ve agreed that it’s a free kick.”
Finally ending the conversation, the former referee said: “Yeah, I watched it a couple of times to make sure it was in the back of the net… John Brooks has looked at it and just agreed with the on-field decision.
“It’s a 50-50 call, but once he’s given it on-field, there’s no way he can overturn it really, because I think it just about is a foul.”
Football Insider verdict
Supporters will have been worrying about where the team’s first points would be coming from, but that is no longer a concern after claiming victory against fellow promoted side Burnley.
Reinildo was impressive for the Black Cats, but he was a rare shining light as Parker’s side dominated the majority of play at Turf Moor as they claimed an all-important win in the Premier League.
Parker’s record in the top tier of English football leaves a lot to be desired, but clearly, he has already improved upon that, albeit they did open up the campaign with a defeat to Tottenham.
Scott Parker’s stats at Burnley before 2025/26.