Ex-Premier League referee hits back over ‘shocking’ Sunderland v Ipswich controversy
Ipswich Town can have no complaints with the penalty they gave away in their 2-0 loss to Sunderland, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official insisted Aristote Nsiala had left his arm out when Ross Stewart’s shot came in.
Nsiala was only a couple of yards away from the shot and Sunderland did not launch an appeal for a penalty.
As quoted by Chronicle Live after the game, Ipswich boss Paul Cook insisted the decision “shocked everyone in the stadium”.
Aiden McGeady converted from the spot to double Sunderland’s lead and secure the three points.
It was the Black Cats’ first win in League One since the 4-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra over a month ago.
Asked for his verdict on the incident after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, Hackett said: “He’s put that left hand out.
“The referee has got a great view.
“What he’s done is stick his mit out. He’s turned his back thinking he’s going to get away with it and tried to be sutle by using his hand to deflect the ball away.
“It was a fair decision.”
Sunderland now sit in sixth, just inside the play-off positions and three points behind the automatic promotion places.
They have only played 16 games this season and have games in hand over four of the five teams above them in the table.
Meanwhile, Ipswich are seven points behind the Black Cats down in 10th and have played two games more.
In other news, Kevin Phillips has tipped Sunderland to recall a 21-year-old in January after pictures emerge.