Ex-Premier League referee issues claim on possible injustice as controversial Kevin De Bruyne footage emerges from Man City
Keith Hackett has insisted there was insufficient evidence to disallow Phil Foden’s third goal as Man City beat Man United 6-3 on Sunday (2 October).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the assistant referee had “the best view in the house” after VAR checked whether the ball had gone out of play in the build up.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme, Kevin De Bruyne set up the move before Erling Haaland played in Foden.
VAR checked whether the 22-year-old was onside after the pass from Haaland and also if De Bruyne had kept the ball in.
The incident was right in front of Man United manager Erik ten Hag who protested to officials that the ball had gone out of play.
It was deemed that the ball had not gone out and the goal was allowed to stand for Foden to complete his first senior hat-trick.
“I don’t think there was sufficient evidence for that ball to be out of play,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I’m mindful of angles that I saw when we were developing goalline technology. You can make any screenshot look how you want.
“For me, it’s not out of play, get on with it.
“The assistant will be looking down the line and has the best view in the house. He’s a very experienced assistant referee, a top-class assistant referee and one of the best.”
In other news, a medical insider has issued a “huge” Man City claim as Erling Haaland’s surgery is revealed.