The refereeing of the game by Major Francis Marindin was also questioned privately by many observers who felt that he had potentially shown bias towards Albion's all-English eleven (Preston's team contained a majority of Scots). At one point during the game he stopped play just as Preston were about to score to award a free kick to Albion, despite no Albion player having made an appeal as was required by the rules of the game at that time.
The impartiality of Major Francis Marindin's refereeing of the match was also privately questioned by many observers who believed he may have shown favoritism towards Albion's predominantly English team (Preston's team had a majority of Scottish players). At one point during the game, he intervened to stop play just as Preston were about to score and award a free kick to Albion, although no Albion player had made an appeal as required by the rules.