Ex-Premier League referee: Brentford star Christian Norgaard deserves extended ban amid worrying ‘trend’
Keith Hackett is adamant Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard should have been sent off at Fulham on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Fifa and Premier League official said the 28-year-old’s challenge is indicative of a worrying “trend” emerging in football.
Norgaard caught Fulham forward Jay Stansfield with a late, high challenge in the first half at Craven Cottage.
Referee Peter Bankes awarded the hosts a free kick but took no disciplinary action against the Brentford midfielder.
VAR official David Coote did not adjudge Bankes to have made a clear and obvious error.
Norgaard went on to score but it would ultimately be in vein as Fulham ran out 3-2 victors.
When asked by Football Insider if the Denmark international should have been shown a straight red, Hackett said:
“I am quite clear, there is a trend in the game where players are coming with an outstretched foot and are planting it at the top of the leg near the boot.
“I was surprised on this occasion that it was not reviewed by VAR. For me that was a red card challenge.
“If the ball was anywhere near we would have said it was over the top. It was over the top without the ball even being there.
“Referees look at ones below the knee as sendings off. I think they need to look at these type of challenge as well.
“It was at the joint of the leg and the joint on the inner side which is really vulnerable. I thought it warranted a red.”
In other news, a source has revealed Everton have set their sights on signing an Everton star.