Aston Villa penalty decision was wrong as controversy re-analysed – ex-PL ref
Keith Hackett believes that VAR got it wrong when they intervened and pushed for Aston Villa to be awarded a penalty on Saturday (23 November) against Crystal Palace.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief, ex-FIFA, and Premier League referee admitted that he didn’t think it was a penalty kick “at all.”
That was also the decision of on-field referee Tim Robinson, but a VAR check ultimately decided that Will Hughes had stood on Leon Bailey’s heel.
Robinson had to take a look at the monitor to assess the situation before awarding Unai Emery’s team with a golden opportunity from 12 yards.
Aston Villa shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty
Hackett told Football Insider, “I don’t think this was a penalty kick at all.
“I don’t know where they got this from.
“First of all, the referee is in quite a good position and adjudges this is not a penalty, why did VAR come in?
“When you look at it, it’s not a penalty, and the pressure is now on the referee.
“As he walks to the screen he knows it’s because VAR have come in on something they considered clear and obvious.
“It’s a poor decision.
“I wish referees would more often walk to the screen and stick with their decision.”
In other news, Aston Villa make Diego Carlos transfer decision ahead of January – sources.
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