Ex-Premier League referee: Brentford victims of major injustice as Ismaila Sarr image emerges from Watford
Keith Hackett has admitted he was “surprised” Watford’s goal in their 2-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday (16 April) was not ruled out for offside.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed there is no consistency in offside decisions and Ismaila Sarr was offside in the build-up to Emmanuel Dennis’ strike.
The assistant referee flagged the call but was overruled after a VAR intervention and Dennis‘ 10th Premier League goal levelled the scores.
Pontus Jansson scored deep into added time to secure all three points for the Bees.
“I must say that I was surprised that it was allowed,” Hackett said after analysing the image with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The reason being is that I think the shoulder of the player is ahead of the defender and the shoulder is an area where you can score from.
“We’ve not got consistency yet in terms of these offside decisions. If the automated system works successfully in the World Cup then we need to get in as soon as possible.
“I can put the counter-argument forward because the technology behind it is flawed, the cameras and the frame rate.
“It doesn’t matter because the law says if you’re a toe offside, you’re offside. Someone has got to make these calls.
“I was surprised they overruled the assistant on this one.”
The defeat leaves Watford six points behind Everton in 17th having played two more games.
Brentford are up in 11th, a point behind breaking into the top-half.
In other news, Tottenham are plotting the sensational signing of a Brentford star and he’s keen to join.