Ex-Premier League official blasts ‘pathetic’ chiefs over Aston Villa controversy
Steven Gerrard is unlikely to get any clarity from the PGMOL on the controversial decisions during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
That is the view of ex-Premier League referee and the former head of the PGMOL Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider as Gerrard demanded answers following his losing return to Anfield at the weekend.
As quoted by Birmingham Live‘s Ashley Preece after the game, the Villa boss wanted to know why Alisson’s challenge on Danny Ings was not given as a penalty.
He was also not happy that Tyrone Mings’ challenge on Mohamed Salah was adjudged to have been a foul.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, it appears to me, Mike Riley, the PGMOL boss has a bunker mentality,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I heard David Moyes over the weekend say that there’s been no contact with the PGMOL [after West Ham’s controversial disallowed goal against Brighton & Hove Albion].
“With this guy, it’s a fruitless task although you can make your opinion known.
“In position is a marking system of a referee’s performance where the manager, Gerrard, can input with the match delegate – a former player or manager. That is where he can make his views known and that can influence the mark the referee is awarded.
“If he wants, he can pick the phone up and I wish him all the best. The simple thing is the PGMOL don’t admit errors, they make excuses. It’s pathetic really.
“I guess in Scotland and at Rangers, he may have been used to having a line of communication with the Scottish FA.
“Transparency and honesty is what is lacking at the PGMOL. Referees are human and make errors. You don’t want a hanging game, just an explanation.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Aston Villa are ‘thinking outside the box’ as Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris near a mega-money deal.