When we see certain officials tied to Swansea City games it’s only fair we look back on their performances when officiating other Swansea City fixtures. Anthony Backhouse is one of those who always fills us with dread. His game management is often flawed and on far too many occasions he has determined the outcome of Swansea football matches.

Yesterday, yes the Swans were pretty poor in all areas and in no way deserved anything after a pitiful collapse from minute one to the end of the game. However, there were two key moments again where Backhouse dismissed Swansea penalties. The first a clumsy challenge on Melker Widell, the second a blatant penalty after an obvious shirt pull on Marko Stamenić. Backhouse dismissed both and on both occasions didn’t seek out the ‘assistance’ of the referee’s assistant.

⚽️ Melker Widell claim

⚽️ Marko Stamenić claim

As stated this isn’t the reason why the Swans lost this game, but it signifies Backhouse as the factor why the Swans have so many penalty appeals dismissed by him. Being a website that reports on all Swansea City matters there is a trail of examples involving this referee..

⚽️ Oct 2023

⚽️ WBA 2024

⚽️ Dec 2025

⚽️ Again yesterday

We did give fair warning of the exceptional qualities of Anthony Backhouse pre match on our match day thread for yesterday’s game. That was on our thread all week.

And another example of his superb intuition at Preston away this season.

There are numerous other pieces of evidence that will either point to his incompetence when officiating a Championship football match involving the Swans or indeed allegations of his fitness to be involved at such a high level of competition. Either way he is influencing and has influenced for a few seasons football matches where Swansea City are involved.

Other clubs and reporters are getting the same raw deals.

There are so many other examples it is becoming an embarrassment to the English Football League surely ? Almost every other week he gets very poor remarks on his performance, that comes from all manner of critics, not just fans. Will the EFL do anything about his game management because if he was a Premier League referee he would be downgraded to the Championship or League One.

And that’s the reason why Swansea City and many other clubs have to put up with him.

It could save your life.

Photograph : Swansea City AFC