The Premier League officials presented a united front in criticising Fifa's decision, with Masters stating that people should not question the integrity of English football. Webb also chimed in, recalling his own days as a referee when high-profile mistakes were often attributed to ineptitude rather than anything more sinister. He argued that the current climate of social media has created an environment where decisions are viewed as either correct or corrupt, rather than simply a matter of judgment.
The criticism from Masters and Webb comes as a response to Fifa's decision to suspend Balogun's ban, which was initially imposed for a one-match suspension. The Premier League officials have sought to reassure fans that top-flight refereeing will remain as patchy as ever in the coming season, despite concerns raised by the Balogun affair.