Ex-Premier League referee verdict on Antony injustice amid Man United controversy – ‘go on YouTube and look’
Keith Hackett believes Robert Jones was right to deny Man United a penalty for Wolves defender Nathan Collins’ handball despite insisting the decision is “subjective”.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee conceded he has “seen them given” – and called for a revamp of the handball rules in time for the 2023-24 campaign.
As seen in footage from the Sky Sports Premier League Twitter account (2 January), Antony’s shot clearly strikes the arm of Collins in the second half – preventing the effort from reaching the Wolves goal.
VAR checked the incident but found no clear and obvious error in Jones’ decision – deciding the defender’s arm was in a natural position.
Marcus Rashford thought he had scored to double Man United’s advantage in the second half, but saw his goal chalked off after a VAR review.
Erik ten Hag’s side went on to secure all three points with a 1-0 victory at Molineux – lifting them into the top four.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s so subjective.
“His arm was away from the body, and it’s not clear whether there was time for him to withdraw it.
“My own view is that I’d like to see a deliberate attempt to stop the ball. On this occasion he didn’t do that, it was a natural position, so that’s why it wasn’t given.
“But I’ve seen them given. And fans can go on YouTube and look at clips like that and question the consistency of these decisions.
“This is where they’ve got to work on the rules and find a place where you can have a black and white rulebook in time for next season.”
In other news, pundit lambasts “embarrassing” Anthony Martial after Man United source’s reveal.