Exclusive: Hackett demands rule change after Wolves vs Nottingham Forest error
Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty in their win over Wolves, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that a rule change may be required to ensure that such incidents are given as penalties in the future.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side continued their excellent form with that victory at Molineux on Monday, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awonyi scoring in a 3-0 win.
However things could have been even more emphatic for Nottingham Forest had they been awarded a penalty many felt they should have been given in the first-half.
Nottingham Forest denied penalty vs Wolves despite ‘easy decision’ claim
With the visitors having taken the lead through Gibbs-White – who relished scoring against his former club – they were denied a chance to double their lead from the spot before half-time.
As Ola Aina broke into the hosts’ penalty area from the right-hand side, the Nottingham Forest man saw a cross blocked by the arm of Rayan Ait-Nouri, which appeared to move outwards to reach the ball.
Despite many appeals for a penalty, a spot-kick was not given by referee Peter Bankes on-field, with VAR official Alex Chilowicz confirming the decision, rather than advising a review.
Hackett though believes that was the wrong call, and that changes may need to be made by PGMOL in order to avoid a repeat of that in the future.
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision not to award Nottingham Forest a penalty, the former referee said:
“Clearly there is an inconsistent approach by the PGMOL match officials with regard to handball. Aina moved into the right hand side of the penalty area in possession of the ball with a defender tracking him.
“He crossed the ball which was handled by a Wolves player leaning well to his right in the corner of the goal area a good eight yards away.
“The defender knew exactly what he was doing holding his hand and arm slightly away from his body when it prevented the ball going further into the area.
“These decisions are difficult but this was a handling offence that should be penalised. Look, when you are moving it is not with a straight arm by your side. It is invariably bent at the elbow.
“Despite a VAR review what should have been an easy decision to make as not. The handball law needs to change so that examples of this type are penalised.
“Replays show clearly that the players arm moved to make himself wider. It was a poor decision and sadly the referee let down for I would have liked Peter Bankes the referee to make this judgment NOT Alex Chilowicz.”
Despite being denied that spot-kick, subsequent goals from the in-form Wood and returning Awoniyi still secured a comfotable win for Nottingham Forest.
As a result they are now third in the Premier League table, six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Wolves meanwhile remain 17th in the standings, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
In other news, Nottingham Forest have saved ‘£8m’ through a new Marinakis move it has been claimed.
For more Nottingham Forest news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.