Ex-Premier League referee can’t believe what Lacazette got away with as Arsenal controversy ‘ignored’
Norwich City should have been awarded a penalty in their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Alexandre Lacazette’s challenge on Kenny McLean should have been punished.
Norwich floated a corner in with the scores 2-0 and McLean was well on course to meet it with a header.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Lacazette then put his arm on the Norwich player’s shoulder and brought him to the ground.
“Lacazette’s right arm was holding the shoulder of his opponent and he gets away with it,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Where was VAR? Lee Mason should have intervened.
“This is down to fundamental coaching at the PGMOL and where they set the bar for the group of referees. In my opinion, the PGMOL have a responsibility that their officials apply the laws consistently. The bar on grappling is too high. They are allowing strength to overcome skill.
“This was the big decision. A touch in that situation is sufficient to distract the attacker. Lacazette has gained by it.
“At the moment there is too greater tolerance to grappling inside the penalty area. It’s effectively being ignored.”
Arsenal’s emphatic win kept them six points clear of Tottenham in fifth and firmly in the Champions League places.
However, they have played three more games than their north London rivals due to a number of postponements at Spurs.
In other news, a senior Arsenal star’s transfer is a ‘done deal’ after the latest update.