Credit: Imago / Sky Sports
Credit: Imago / Sky Sports

Ex-PGMOL chief makes feelings clear over West Ham disallowed goal vs Nottingham Forest

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Nottingham Forest were saved by an incorrect decision as Crysencio Summerville's goal was ruled out for West Ham on Tuesday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Tony Harrington and VAR were wrong to punish Taty Castellanos on 6 January.

West Ham and Nottingham Forest are caught in a relegation dogfight, with the two sides battling in a Premier League six-pointer at the London Stadium, one which was affected by controversial decisions.

With the Hammers 1-0 up, Summerville thought he had doubled his side's lead, smashing past Matz Sels in the 51st minute, only for a VAR review to rule it out for an offside in the build-up.

Supporters were furious when re-watching the incident, given that Nikola Milenkovic had tackled the ball into the offside player, emotions which were compounded by Forest's equaliser just four minutes later.

West Ham can feel hard done by after disallowed goal

West Ham fans took to social media to hit out at the decision, citing the IFAB's laws about why the goal should have stood, and Hackett is taking the same view.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the contentious decision, the former referee was adamant, saying: "There is no doubt that the ball was played by a Nottingham Forest player when challenging for the ball.

"The West Ham United player gained possession, having moved from an offside position. The law in this situation is clear, and the VAR and referee were wrong to rule out West Ham's second goal."

Tony Harrington was at the centre of controversy at the London Stadium. (Credit: xIMAGO/EveryxSecondxMediax)
Tony Harrington was at the centre of controversy at the London Stadium. (Credit: xIMAGO/EveryxSecondxMediax)

The decision turned out to be hugely important, as the Reds were awarded a last-gasp penalty against Alphonse Areola, which Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up to tuck away.

Nottingham Forest could be the final nail in Nuno Espirito Santo's coffin

Before kick-off, Football Insider understood that West Ham are already ready to sack Nuno, and it would be hugely ironic if his last game in charge was to be against his former club, Forest.

He has won just two of his 16 games in charge since arriving in East London, only replacing Graham Potter back in September, leaving David Sullivan and Karren Brady with a decision to make.

The Hammers are now seven points adrift of safety, with upcoming games against Tottenham, Sunderland, and Chelsea, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Had Summerville's goal counted, they might have gone on to claim all three points, which would have been a huge moment in the season, given their current position.

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