Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref reacts to penalty call that angered Burnley vs Portsmouth
Burnley should not have been awarded a penalty in their goalless draw with Portsmouth, Keith Hackett has suggested.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Andre Dozzell was rightly not penalised for handball when blocking a shot as his arms where close in to his body.
Scott Parker was left frustrated as his side were unable to find a breakthrough at Fratton Park on Saturday (1 February) against relegation-threatened Pompey.
Many of a Burnley persuasion felt they should have had the chance to do that from the penalty spot, although Hackett himself does not share that sentiment.
Burnley penalty claim assessed after frustration at Portsmouth
The Clarets were ultimately left disappointed as they missed out on all three points in their attempts to maintain their promotion push at the weekend.
Perhaps the biggest opportunity Burnley had came and went when they were denied that chance to score from the spot.
After a shot from the edge of the area had beaten Portsmouth ‘keeper Nicolas Schmid, it was then blocked off the line by Andre Dozzell to prevent a certain goal.
The visitors though were adamant that the ball had been handled by the midfielder in making that clearance, with replays suggesting it did hit his arm.
Hackett though did not believe there was enough movement from Dozzell to justify awarding Burnley a penalty, as he told Football Insider:
“I think at the point the ball struck I don’t think his silhouette is any bigger and I don’t think he’s got much time to get it out of the way, so for me I don’t think there’s enough to award a penalty kick, and of course it would have been a red card for denying a goal.
“So on the clip I’m seeing, his left arm is out, he’s got a bent arm and I think the unfortunate thing is it drops to him.
“I think what’s saved him is one, whether the referee could see because there are a lot of players blocking his view I would suggest, and whether in fact his arm is outside his body and I don’t think the silhouette is big enough to actually disallow it. I think it’s a tight call but I’m not giving it.”
After that stalemate at Fratton Park, Burnley remain third in the Championship table, three points adrift of the automatic promotion places following yet another disappointing goalless draw.
Football Insider meanwhile understands that the Clarets are in advanced talks to sell John Egan to fellow Championship side Hull City.
Portsmouth meanwhile are 20th in the current standings, three points clear of the relegation zone after hanging on to claim that point.
In other news, Wycombe Wanderers are in late talks to sign a player from Hull City.
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