Ex-Premier League referee: Chiefs may have admitted West Ham ‘guilt’ after Declan Rice development
The decision not to punish Declan Rice and David Moyes for their comments after West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Saturday is an admission of guilt from the authorities.
That is the view of former Premier League and Fifa referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the reaction to the decisions that “really let West Ham down”.
The Hammers thought they had rescued a point at Stamford Bridge after Maxwel Cornet had the ball in the back of the net.
However, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Andy Madley adjudged Jarrod Bowen to have fouled Edouard Mendy in the build-up.
Rice took to Twitter after the game to claim it was a “shambles” and was “one of the worst VAR decisions made”.
In his post-match interview, Moyes labelled the decision as “scandalous” and “absolutely rotten”.
The Athletic reported on Sunday (4 September) that the captain and manager
“Do we want passion in the game or do we not want passion in the game?” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think Moyes kept his calm reasonably well because I would have been annoyed. Ultimately, these guys are human.
“We want better officiating. This, for me, was the worst Saturday that I’ve experienced in my career in terms of referee errors.”
Asked whether the lack of action is an admission of guilt, Hackett said: “Yes, I think it is.
“What’s going to happen with the referee now? What’s going to happen with the VAR?
“I think West Ham were really let down on that one.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a “furious” West Ham fans claim amid a new legal controversy.