Ex-Premier League referee issues emphatic Arsenal verdict as Martin Odegaard controversy analysed
Keith Hackett has slammed VAR for “unnecessary interference” after a goal from Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli was disallowed on Sunday (4 August).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted VAR had “no need” to change Paul Tierney’s on-field decision.
As shown on Sky Sports (4 September), Gabriel Martinelli thought he had put the Gunners 1-0 up in the first half of the game against Man United.
However, VAR official Lee Mason told the referee to take a look at a challenge from Martin Odegaard on Christian Eriksen in the build-up to the goal.
Tierney chalked off the goal after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
Arsenal went on to lose the game 3-1.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the incident at Old Trafford, Hackett said: “I think that Paul Tierney, early in this game, had applied a wonderful advantage.
“He saw the foul, he applied advantage, goal resulted. Then we have this, where, Paul Tierney is in a good position, he’s made a sound judgement, VAR had no need to come in.
“Once it comes in, the interrogation through slo-mo exaggerates what has happened. So, one stop reviewing incidents in slow motion, two, only come in on what is a clear and obvious error.
“For me, an outstanding goal was ruled out because someone sat in a room at Stockley Park and pressed the button saying they need to review it. Paul Tierney already played one outstanding advantage, we don’t need this unnecessary interference.
“This incident is subjective, I can find a foul but also I can find a reason for not giving it because football is a contact sport. If you told everybody that you’re raising the bar, Paul Tierney is operating that criteria but the VAR is not.“
In other news, an Arsenal expert has issued emphatic response to Mohamed Salah after reveal via Sky.