Ex-Premier League official: Referee ‘put in jail’ as controversial Odegaard footage emerges from Arsenal
Arsenal should have had a penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Man City for Ederson’s challenge on Martin Odegaard, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League and Fifa referee claimed Stuart Attwell was too far away to make the call and VAR operator Jarred Gillett “put him in jail” by not coming in.
Odegaard was played in behind the Man City defence before a challenge by Ederson saw him fall to the ground.
Attwell waved away the huge appeals of the Arsenal players and fans.
“This was a foul,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“On the first view, he’s hit the man first before the ball. I reiterate the ball can’t be used as an excuse.
“In fairness to the referee, he’s not in a good position. He’s not got the view that is afforded to us on television but VAR Jarred Gillett has.
“It’s a penalty kick, all day long. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“We’re all surprised VAR didn’t intervene and you have to ask why? On that occasion Attwell can feel let down by VAR not coming in.
“Atwell should be able to talk to Jarred Gillett afterwards and say ‘Why didn’t you come in?’.
“Gillett may have had an answer and he would have said ‘It wasn’t clear and obvious’. To me, it was.
“We’re failing to understand that we have to give the referee a second look and we have to have the referee go and have a second look to say ‘I’m happy with the decision I made’.
“That gets us into a historic relationship between referee and assistant. That’s how it’s operated for years, there is nothing new in that.
“They are not refereeing as a team it’s almost like God on high is directing you.
“There’s another issue, the relationship issue. Gillett is new on the list. Attwell has been there some time. He’s had a difficult career but is improving.
“He’s put in jail by a first year VAR operator, by that I mean first year on the Premier League.”
In other news, ‘there will be riots outside the Emirates’ after a ‘monster’ Arsenal bid is reported.