JJ Watt hits out at 'oddly stacked' Premier League refereeing decisions as Burnley battle to avoid relegation

The Clarets co-owner opted to speak up in defence of the team he acquired a minority stake in last year and hinted that the top flight's smaller clubs don't all have a voice to fight for them. Watt admits that the team have not been good enough this season but remains frustrated over the lack of consistency on display from referees in England.

Although Burnley have had decisions go against them this term, both Vincent Kompany and his players have lacked discipline in key moments. The growing influence of VAR means that most bad tackles and incidents of foul play are triple-checked before a decision is made and the Lancashire club would still likely be fighting relegation even if some of the dismissals had never happened.

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Watt said: "As a small club, with some of those things you don’t have a voice necessarily, you don’t have to ability to speak up. I’m happy to be that voice because I do know what it feels like to be a fan and literally an owner in those situations. This season it does seem oddly stacked up in a certain way and you start to get those official apology letters multiple times and you’re like: ‘okay, how many times do we get these letters before we take a look at this whole thing here?'"

Burnley have been on the receiving end of seven red cards this season, more than any other side in the Premier League. Dara O'Shea was the most recent Claret to be dismissed in the 1-0 loss to Everton on April 6. It marked a third sending-off in four matches for Kompany's side, who remain in the relegation zone.

There is still hope that Watt can return to watch Premier League football at Burnley next season. Nottingham Forest and Everton's point deductions mean just a few wins could lift them to safety as we approach the final stretch of games.