Ex-refs chief: PGMOL to blame as Liverpool goal should have been disallowed vs Tottenham
Howard Webb and the PGMOL are at fault for Tottenham’s fury after Hugo Ekitike’s goal was allowed to stand for Liverpool on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool should have seen a goal chalked off in their 2-1 win on 20 December.
Richarlison has been linked with a Tottenham exit, but it was the Brazilian who grabbed one back for the home side, and things could have been very different for the Reds in North London.
Cristian Romero got himself sent off to kill any chance of a comeback for Thomas Frank‘s 10 men, having kicked Ibrahima Konate in the stomach for his second yellow card of the game.
Cristian Romero right to fume over Hugo Ekitike’s goal
After Alexander Isak opened the scoring, injuring himself in the process, Ekitike doubled the Reds’ lead, but Spurs’ captain was absolutely furious with the decision, with the referee taking his name for dissent.
In the 66th minute, Liverpool‘s No.22 rose highest in the penalty area to head home, but upon watching the replays, there appeared to be an evident push in the back on the Argentine.
There was absolutely no arguing with the defender being sent off later in the game, given that it could have been a straight red, but a second yellow was seen as harsh following the initial decision.
The situation certainly could have been avoided, with emotions bubbling over due to some of the decisions, and Hackett believes the blame should land at the feet of Webb.
PGMOL told to clamp down on penalty area incidents after Tottenham vs Liverpool
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I think the first yellow was harsh, with the goal being allowed to stand. It seemed to me that there was a push.
“It’s subjective, but with two hands in the back, it’s a push. It was a push; it had to be a foul, and that goal should have been ruled out.
“If we’re accepting, as we appear to be, the grappling, holding, pushing, and blocking in the penalty area, it’s almost allowed this scenario. It was sufficient to push the player over, and I thought it should have been an easy decision to disallow the goal.