Ex-Fifa official lambasts Abdoulaye Doucoure as controversial Everton footage analysed
Everton can have no complaints with the penalty awarded to Chelsea as they lost 1-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday (6 August), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Abdoulaye Doucoure’s challenge on Ben Chilwell was “clumsy” and “careless”.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Doucoure brought Chilwell down from behind as they both entered the penalty area at the end of the first half.
Jorginho converted past Jordan Pickford from the spot to secure the three points for Chelsea.
“This was a penalty,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I was clumsy. What they’ve got to understand is that in the law there is the word ‘careless’, that is what he’s done, he’s made a careless challenge.
“In fairness, I think [referee] Craig Pawson had a very good game.
“I’ve been critical but, like a lot of referees this weekend and I know it’s the first one of the season, I think someone has got a grip of them in terms of fitness and mobility on the field of play.
“I’ve been impressed generally in terms of movement and positioning.
“If they are fit and mobile on the field of play they see the incident and judge them accurately.
“Good on them. Now, they have to maintain it.
“They are not passing a fitness test just to be fit. The PGMOL have now got to put in a bi-monthly fitness test.
“The problem is the recovery. The programmes at that hectic and the referees do need time to recover.”
In other news, Everton have finalised another signing after a bid is accepted and a medical is complete.