Ex-refs chief: PGMOL must release statement after Rodrigo Bentancur controversy vs Chelsea
Howard Webb must address concerns over player safety after Rodrigo Bentancur avoided a red card in Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the PGMOL need to clarify the rules after some baffling decisions over the last few weekends.
For example, Amadou Onana was not sent off for hitting Alexis Mac Allister in the throat, and while it was a very different challenge, few can understand why Spurs were not sent down to 10 men on Saturday, 1 November.
Enzo Maresca‘s side, however, managed to secure all three points anyway, with Joao Pedro continuing his haunting of Tottenham after another toothless display from Thomas Frank‘s players.
Rodrigo Bentancur clashes with Reece James in North London
Bentancur should have been sent off for his challenge on Reece James, an incident which occurred on the stroke of half-time, only earning the midfielder a yellow card, even after a VAR check.
Rewatching the incident, there was nothing that could make Hackett understand why Jarred Gillett had kept the red card in his pocket, with the opposing player fortunate to escape with injury.
The former head of the PGMOL believes there has been an uprise in controversial challenges going unpunished, or at least under-punished, by Premier League officials this season.
Now, he has called for Webb to address the situation, especially after very few could explain why Bentancur was not handed his marching orders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Howard Webb urged to explain Jarred Gillett’s decision on Tottenham controversy
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “This challenge is in the category where it’s okay to literally endanger somebody and get away with it if it’s around the ankle area.
“The excuse is, ‘I was going for the ball’. That is just fodder. When you’re judging if it’s excessive force that puts an opponent in danger, that challenge meets those criteria.
“The PGMOL need to come out with statements to clarify why these are not red cards. They’re clearly saying that low-down challenges, boot-to-boot, and boot-to-leg are part of the game.
“I just think this is an area that should be examined and discussed with a technical committee run and operated by the PGMOL. I’m still convinced this is a red.”