Ex-Premier League referee: Man United cash in on major injustice as controversial Raphael Varane footage analysed
James Maddison’s goal in Leicester City’s 1-1 draw with Man United on Saturday (2 April) should not have been disallowed, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Kelechi Iheanacho’s challenge on Raphael Varane in the build up should not have been reviewed by VAR.
With just over 10 minutes to go, Iheanacho won the ball from Varane before playing through Maddison who finished past David De Gea.
On-field referee Andre Marriner initially allowed the goal before he was told to look at the pitchside monitor by VAR operator Michael Oliver.
“I would have just let that go because I think that was a tangle of legs more than a free-kick,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Ok, he’s given it and disallowed it but I thought it was a soft free-kick. Those happen in midfield and are not penalised. I thought it was an overindulgence.
“Michael Oliver, on VAR, should have stayed out of it. It’s absolutely not a clear and obvious error.
“The whole scenario of clear and obvious is up and down with VAR. This is one where a Man United player has gone to ground but it’s more of the Man United player fouling than the other way round.
“We know for a fact that in England, unlike in the MLS, unlike in the Dutch league referees are encouraged to have a look and will change their minds.
“If Marriner thinks that he’s got it right then he should be allowed to stick with his original decision. Instead, if he walks to the screen, no matter his decision on the field, VAR will overturn it.”
In other news, Man United could sign Romelu Lukaku 2.0 after a £76m report.