Ex-Fifa official ‘can’t believe’ Lisandro Martinez controversy as new Man United claim issued
Brighton & Hove Albion should have had a penalty kick in their 2-1 win over Man United on Sunday (7 August), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Lisandro Martinez’s “push” on Danny Welbeck should have been punished.
The pair came together in the box when Brighton were leading 2-0 and Welbeck went down under Martinez’s challenge.
Referee Paul Tierney did not feel it was a foul and VAR operator John Brooks did not feel the need to intervene.
As quoted by Sussex Live after the game, Graham Potter admitted he did not want to complain about the penalty because his side won.
Welbeck put in a great display against his former club and grabbed an assist in Brighton’s first win at Old Trafford in the league.
Alexis Mac Allister scored an own goal with just over 20 minutes to go but Man United did not do enough to create an equaliser despite the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Danny Welbeck should have had a penalty kick,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I cannot believe a penalty kick wasn’t given. First of all, you’ve got to question the assistant referee who is in a good position.
“It’s a push, for me, that’s a penalty kick.”
Martinez moved to Man United from Ajax along with Erik ten Hag this summer but endured a nightmare debut.
The 24-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Old Trafford club.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man United have banked a “seven-figure” windfall amid news from California.