Ex-refs chief sends Chris Kavanagh stark warning over Bournemouth vs Arsenal scenes: ‘He’ll end up not getting another game’
Chris Kavanagh could see himself struggling for games in Europe after his performance in Bournemouth versus Arsenal on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Kavanagh “must learn” after taking charge at the Vitality Stadium on 3 January.
Mikel Arteta was furious with his Arsenal players during the clash, but once the full-time whistle, it was the visitors who were celebrating, claiming a 3-2 win despite a late surge from the Cherries.
Gabriel Magalhaes atoned for his early error when scoring an equaliser, with Declan Rice grabbing his first Premier League brace, meaning Junior Kroupi‘s late stunner was nothing more than a consolation.
Chris Kavanagh infuriates Bournemouth fans with full-time whistle
During the five-goal thriller, there were a few questionable decisions, with both sets of supporters feeling hard done by when it came to Kavanagh, and he has been warned over one of his most controversial choices.
With six minutes of added time, Andoni Iraola‘s side were pushing for a last-gasp equaliser, but as the clock ticked past the allotted time, the referee blew the whistle for full-time.
At this point, the Cherries had possession just outside the Gunners’ penalty area, with the ball just about to be sent back into the danger area, as they searched for an all-important equaliser.
As the sole timekeeper during the game, it is up to the referee when they blow for full-time, but Hackett has warned Kavanagh that actions like this could be a cause for concern.
Kavanagh warned of European blow after Premier League display
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “If you spoke to the referee, he’d tell you, ‘I’m the sole timekeeper, so I can stop the game whenever I want’.
“Over the years, referees have said that we want to stop the game, either when it’s in midfield, where there’s no chance of anything happening, or when the ball is running out of play.
“Kavanagh, who has received notification from UEFA that he’s an elite referee, joining Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor in the Champions League, needs to learn.
“In Europe, he’ll end up not getting another game until the end of the season. Just use a bit of common sense, but he didn’t apply it. I think he just looked down at his watch and blew, rather than look up.”