Ex-Premier League referee: Watford victims of major injustice as VAR gets Burnley-Connor Roberts controversy wrong
Watford should have been awarded a penalty in their 0-0 draw with Burnley on Saturday (5 February), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Watford should have been given a spot-kick for a handball by Connor Roberts.
As shown on the BBC‘s highlights programme, the ball appeared to strike Roberts’ hand right at the end of the first half after a Ken Sema cross.
Craig Pawson waved away Watford’s appeals as the Burnley players ran down the tunnel after the half-time whistle.
“It’s one of those that is a really tight call,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The Burnley player knows exactly what he’s done. I don’t think his arm is in a natural position.
“He’s trying to hide what he’s done. He’s looking at the ball and not the player. He knows exactly what he’s done. I think Watford have a right to complain.
“VAR has decided it’s not a penalty. I would have liked Craig Pawson to have a look at this on the monitor.
“It’s a very tight call and I can understand why it wasn’t given because they are looking out for his arms behind his back.
“The doubt is, was he trying to get his arms out of the way? Because they are behind his body, I think that’s why he’s got away with it.
“What makes it suspicious is he was looking at the ball. Is he trying to hide the fact it was handball?
“I don’t think it’s a clearcut decision either way but VAR should allow the referee to have a look. VAR says it’s not a penalty kick and Pawson has got to go with it.”
In other news, Watford failed with a last-gasp approach to sign a Man United star.