Ex-Fifa official: Star should get extended ban as Harry Kane-Tottenham controversy analysed
Steve Cook should have been sent off as Nottingham Forest lost 2-0 to Tottenham on Sunday (28 August), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted he was “bemused” Cook was not shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity with a handball.
The 31-year-old was only shown a yellow card when he rose the highest to block a cross that looked destined for Kane’s head.
VAR checked Craig Pawson’s decision but did not feel he had made a clear and obvious error.
“This is a nailed-on red card,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Someone from the PGMOL has come out and said it was too high up. You can see that Harry Kane was slightly impeded and hadn’t reached his full elevation and wasn’t all the way up.
“For me, this should have been a straight red. You’d back Kane and remember, he doesn’t have to score the goal, it’s just an opportunity that’s been denied.
“It’s a handball that’s denied the opportunity for a goal so I was bemused by the fact that a red card was not shown.
“Having said that, I thought Craig Pawson had another good performance, apart from that one decision.
“Because he is looking fitter and sharper mentally, I think he’s started the season as well as he’s ever done.”
A red card would have seen Cook banned for Nottingham Forest’s next three games.
Steve Cooper’s men are next in action on Wednesday (31 August) when they visit champions Man City.
In other news, Chelsea are set to blow Tottenham out of the water as a defender bid is readied.