Ex-Fifa official calls for radical change after Kieran Trippier controversy at Newcastle United
Keith Hackett has called for officials’ conversations to be broadcast live after Kieran Trippier’s sending off was overturned at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Fifa and Premier League official said such access would “enhance the value of the decision and the status of the officials.”
Trippier was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Kevin De Bruyne in the second half of Newcastle’s 3-3 draw with Man City.
Referee Jarred Gillett adjudged the right-back to have endangered De Bruyne with his tackle.
However, Gillett overturned his on-field decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor on the advice of VAR official Peter Bankes.
Hackett urged the powers that be to allow fans to listen in to the officials conversations.
“The one disappointment I have here is that we weren’t able, as fans, to listen to the conversation between the referee Gillett and the VAR official Bankes,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“That would have been the icing on the cake for me.
“The Australian public have had that opportunity. They have had the opportunity of listening into Gillett when he refereed the final in Australia. He gives clarity to his thought process and the decision.
“I think this would have enhance the value of that decision and the status of the two match officials to another level. Why is he changing that red to a yellow with what’s in front of him?
“Despite the views of many people who think it is off the ground, you cannot give a red card for that. The right call was made.”
In other news, Newcastle United have been told to U-turn on Scott McTominay after a transfer update.