Ex-Fifa official issues emphatic Edouard Mendy claim as ‘unbelievable’ Chelsea footage emerges
Daniel Amartey’s goal in Leicester City’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Saturday (27 August) should not have been disallowed, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the decision to award Chelsea a free-kick for Harvey Barnes’ challenge on Edouard Mendy was “harsh”.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Barnes and Mendy challenged for the ball after a corner before it eventually fell to Amartey who prodded in from close range.
He headed into an empty net with Mendy left stranded but referee Paul Tierney blew his whistle to award Chelsea a free-kick just beside the penalty spot.
On Twitter, Gary Lineker labelled the decision as “unbelievable” and accused the VAR officials of being “asleep at the desk”.
The VAR official Andre Marriner did not feel it was a clear and obvious error and let Tierney’s decision to stand.
The scores were level at 0-0 at the time of the incident and Leicester were denied the chance to take the lead.
“I think Barnes has made a genuine attempt to play the ball,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think the goalkeeper is an overprotected species. The arms are around the goalkeeper and that’s why he’s been penalised.
“It’s harsh.”
Mendy has only kept one clean sheet this season in the 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on the opening day.
The Blues have the fifth-worst defensive record in the division this term having conceded eight goals in five games.
In other news, a “devastated” Harry Maguire could now join Chelsea after “shattering” news.