Reece James controversy: Chelsea star should have conceded penalty – Ex-PGMOL chief lashes out
Reece James should have conceded a penalty during Chelsea‘s damning defeat to Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the captain was fortunate not to be punished for a holding offence on Saturday, 14 March.
Anthony Gordon had already opened the lead when the Magpies should have been given the chance to double their lead from 12 yards, with Malick Thiaw being dragged to the floor inside the penalty area.
Even after a VAR review, the penalty calls were waved away in the 35th minute, meaning James avoided giving away a penalty in the same week as he put pen to paper on a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea would go on to lose to Newcastle despite the reprieve, though.
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VISIT THE CHELSEA MATCH HUBReece James was guilty of grappling inside the penalty area
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the blatant penalty incident, the former referee said: “This holding offence committed by Reece James should have resulted in a penalty kick.
“Ignoring his offence and not taking any action is not an option for the referee. There is no doubt in my mind that Reece James has escaped one here. He’s grabbed his opponent, and it should have resulted in a penalty kick.
“The reality is that this holding offence should be punished. This is not good for the PGMOL, and it’s not good for the game. Something needs to be done.”
It was utterly baffling not to see the full-back-turned-midfielder punished for this incident, and Eddie Howe will likely have something to say after the full-time whistle.
What did Newcastle fans make of the incident?
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle fans are certain that it was a “nailed-on” penalty at Stamford Bridge, with many also trolling the referee after he was pictured in the middle of Chelsea’s pre-game huddle.
Even many Chelsea fans have admitted that James should have been punished, and that says everything that football viewers from around the globe need to know about the league’s officiating.
Newcastle fans were left disappointed by the decision, but they would eventually go on to win all three points.
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