Ex-Fifa official: Idrissa Gueye ‘lucky’ to escape punishment as controversial Everton pictures analysed
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye was “lucky” not to concede a penalty against Fulham, according to Keith Hackett.
The former Fifa and Premier League official, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, is adamant the 33-year-old fouled Willian with “a careless challenge” inside the 18-yard box.
Fulham shared a goalless draw with the Toffees at Craven Cottage on Saturday (29 October).
As pictured by Sky Sports (29 October), the Cottagers appealed for a penalty when Willian went to ground at the beginning of the second half under the challenge of Gueye.
However, referee John Brooks did not point to the spot and VAR official Darren England chose not to intervene.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the penalty shout, Hackett said: “I think it was a foul.
“It was a careless challenge. That is a foul. I think Fulham are very unlucky not to have had a penalty given to them there.
“It is a subjective call. VAR may have considered that it is not a clear and obvious error. They have gone with the referees judgement and I understand that.
“But, we have to understand that a careless challenge is a foul. It was careless from Gueye. Everton were lucky not to concede a penalty. We cannot say, ‘It was a bit soft.’ A foul is a foul.”
Fulham remain seventh in the Premier League table after the draw.
Everton moved up to 12th position.
In other news, a source has revealed Everton are plotting a raid for a Wolves star amid Jorge Mendes reveal.