Ex-PGMOL boss wants rule change after controversial Bruno Fernandes incident vs Brentford
Howard Webb and the PGMOL need to address a “gap” in Premier League rules after Bruno Fernandes missed another penalty for Man United.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that unnecessary pressure was placed on the kick-taker’s shoulders at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Fernandes could have been sent off against the Bees on Saturday, 27 September, but he was still on the pitch when United were awarded a penalty for Nathan Collins‘ shirt pull on Bryan Mbeumo.
Matt Le Tissier, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, believes that Ruben Amorim is now finished as Man United boss, but Hackett has sympathy for the club captain in a hugely defining moment.
Brentford successfully disrupted Bruno Fernandes’ penalty
In the 76th minute, with Keith Andrews’ side 2-1 up after an Igor Thiago brace and a goal from Benjamin Sesko, Fernandes had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot following a VAR review.
Collins avoided a red card for the challenge, and after the VAR check was completed, Keane Lewis-Potter and Rico Henry were both brought onto the field before the penalty could be taken.
This forced the kick-taker to wait even longer before Craig Pawson blew his whistle, and after such a long delay, Fernandes saw a rather tame effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
There was some doubt over Thiago’s opener, but with Mathias Jensen scoring a late third, the Bees managed to secure all three points against the Red Devils anyway.
Keith Hackett wants a rule change after feeling sympathy for Fernandes
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the events leading up to Fernandes’ penalty miss, saying: “Substitutions have been made on the basis of applying indirect pressure on the kicker. Any delay in the taking of a penalty, psychologically, increases the tension in that player.
“It affects the concentration too, which is probably a bigger issue in terms of focus. I think referees should be instructed that, when a penalty kick has been awarded, they bring it to a conclusion before substitutions are made.
“This could happen: if they believe they have a better goalkeeper on for penalties, they could bring them on. There’s a gap in the area of the game that needs to be looked at.
“Once a penalty kick has been awarded, no substitutions until that penalty kick has been taken and is concluded. For now, though, subs will take place and there will be a delay.”