Ex-Premier League ref: Players set to ‘take the law into their own hands’ after Enzo Fernandez controversy at Chelsea
Keith Hackett has warned holding and pulling offences are “escalating” in the Premier League with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez perhaps lucky to avoid conceding a debut penalty against Fulham last week (3 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed players will “take the law into their own hands” if similar incidents continue to go unpunished.
In the 11th minute of Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Fulham last week (3 February), British-record signing Fernandez looked to wrestle Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to the ground as he prepared to attack a corner kick.
The incident was right in front of referee Stuart Atwell and was checked briefly by VAR official Michael Salisbury – but play was allowed to continue.
A number of high-profile incidents of grappling have not seen penalties awarded in recent memory.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane was denied a penalty away at Brentford on Boxing Day last year, and Arsenal star Gabriel saw his appeals turned down against Newcastle on 3 January.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think the grappling-type offences are spreading and spreading right now.
“We’ve got players using arms all over the pitch – set-pieces and in open play.
“These fouls should be given. It’s escalating.
“Ignoring it is not the answer, because players are getting frustrated – and that leads to players taking the law into their own hands.
“I think the bar needs to be lowered in relation to what is acceptable in holding and pulling offences.
“They’ve got to a point where they’re saying, ‘it’s got to be a real push’.
“For me, there’s too much of it in the Premier League.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with two first-team stars close to agreeing new Chelsea deals.