Ex-Premier League referee: Stuart Attwell should be stepped down from Everton v Newcastle after latest controversy
Keith Hackett has suggested Stuart Attwell be stepped down from officiating Newcastle United’s trip to Everton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the 39-year-old “needs a rest” after a “poor performance” last weekend.
Attwell was on VAR duty when Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez controversially avoided red for a high challenge on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
The English referee was in the middle for Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Norwich City and was saved by VAR after mistakenly awarding Milot Rashica a penalty.
Attwell has been confirmed as the VAR official when Everton welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park on Thursday.
When asked for his assessment of Attwell’s weekend, Hackett told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs:
“Attwell was in the middle of controversial decisions in two games last weekend.
“He gave a penalty to Norwich City for what he considered, from a very good position, to be be a foul by [Luke] Ayling. But he guessed. He has to have guessed.
“You should not need VAR to see that the player has in face stood on Ayling’s leg.
“Are we talking about a referee in form? He clanged decisions as the referee and as the VAR official last weekend. It was a poor performance.
“He needs a rest. He needs time off.
“When you are dealing at Premier League level, you are supposed to be the best in the country. I think Attwell is a competent referee but like players, referees run out of form.”
In other news, a pundit fears an Everton star is being ‘targeted’ by opponents after reveal.