Ex-Premier League official demands major law change as controversial Klopp footage emerges from Liverpool
Keith Hackett has insisted the Premier League needs to stop managers confronting referees on the pitch at full-time after Jurgen Klopp’s behaviour as Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw with Tottenham yesterday (19 December).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League admitted he understood Klopp’s frustrations but his actions after the game undermined Paul Tierney and damaged the image of the game.
The Liverpool boss marched onto the pitch to confront Tierney to complain about the decision to not award his side a penalty for Emerson Royal’s challenge on Diogo Jota and Harry Kane not being sent off for a challenge on Andy Robertson.
As picked up on the Sky Sports cameras, the German can be heard saying he has no problem with any other referees, just Tierney.
“There is no wonder why Klopp went scatty,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I understand passion, I understand disappointment and frustration in a difficult environment but there were a couple of things that concerned me.
“I get increasingly concerned about managers going onto the field of play to have a debate or a discussion with the referee. The FA has got to come in, the Premier League have got to agree and referees have to impose something to say managers are not allowed on the field of play to have a public remonstration.
“It undermines the authority of the referee and it damages the image of the game.
“I’m sure it’s still there within the arrangement I put in place, 30 minutes after the game a manager can knock on the referee’s door and seek clarification on various points.
“Confronting the referee and having the discussion on national television doesn’t look good. The worry is the potential influence. If I was the opposing manager I’d be less than pleased with that scenario.
“I understand the passion and all that goes with it but the referees have got to be a protected species in that environment.”
In other news, the Liverpool squad will be fuming after ‘ridiculous’ £100m+ Mohamed Salah talks latest.