Bradley Dack: Ex-Fifa official issues ‘100 per cent’ verdict on Blackburn controversy
Keith Hackett has pointed the finger at referee Gavin Ward after his performance in Bristol City’s 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Fifa and Premier League official claimed Ward “ignored the law” following encroachment during Bradley Dack’s second-half penalty at Ewood Park.
Dack missed the chance to give Blackburn the lead on Saturday, with his tame spot-kick saved by Bristol City goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.
As footage from Luke Flanagan’s Twitter shows (12 March), City defender Timm Klose encroached a number of yards into the box when the penalty was taken.
However, referee Gavin Ward did not order for the penalty to be retaken by Dack after failing to spot the infringement.
The decision would ultimately proved costly for Blackburn with Andreas Weimann scoring a stoppage time winner for the visitors.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the footage, Hackett said: “Wow, Gavin Ward you are not doing your job. You are ignoring the law.
“That is encroachment, 100 per cent. It should be a retake.
“It’s a terrible penalty though, perhaps Ward thought he didn’t deserve a retake!”
Speaking on Dack’s penalty miss, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Dack feels as though he’s ready, he’s really confident, why would he not take the penalty?
“I’m sure if Brereton [Diaz] was on the pitch that Bradley would still have taken it.”
In other news, there has been a significant update on Ben Brereton Diaz as his comeback date from injury is revealed.