Ex-Premier League referee: Dan Burn deserves extended ban as controversial Newcastle United footage analysed
Keith Hackett has insisted Newcastle United defender Dan Burn should have been penalised and red-carded for his shirt pull on Fulham star Andreas Pereira on Sunday (15 January).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee highlighted that the laws of the game make no mention about an acceptable level of force in holding offences.
As seen in footage from the Sky Sports Premier League Twitter account (16 January), Burn, 30, can be seen pulling Andreas Pereira back as the Fulham star prepares to shoot at Nick Pope’s goal.
Referee Robert Jones waved away the appeals, before being sent to the monitor to award Fulham a penalty for a separate incident.
Aleksandar Mitrovic fluffed his lines from the spot after a double connection with the ball – and Newcastle went on to win the game 1-0 to strengthen their Champions League credentials.
Speaking post-match, as quoted by Newcastle World, Fulham boss Marco Silva lambasted the “clear mistake” after officials failed to penalise Burn.
The defender would have been handed a one-match ban if he was dismissed – meaning he would miss the Magpies’ clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday (21 January).
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a red card and a penalty for me, every day.
“We’re overcomplicating things for referees.
“I go back to the laws of the game. Holding is a direct free-kick or penalty – it doesn’t say how hard you have pull the shirt.
“This should have been a penalty and a red card, which dramatically changes the game. Where was Mike Dean on the VAR?”
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