Exclusive: ‘Kai Havertz guilty of clear act of simulation’ v Man United
Andy Madley made a “huge error” by awarding a penalty to Arsenal against Man United after a “clear act of simulation” by Kai Havertz, Keith Hackett has explained.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, if VAR had been in operation at the Emirates, the referee would have been instructed to view the monitor which would likely have provided a different outcome.
Hackett explained that the Arsenal forward should have been handed a yellow card, but successfully conned Madley into handing his side a spot-kick.
Man United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir ultimately saved the penalty from Martin Odegaard, and the referee was fortunate that his call made no impact on the outcome of the game.
Andy Madley slammed after ‘huge’ Kai Havertz error in Arsenal v Man United clash
Ruben Amorim’s side progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes at the Emirates, with Bayindir the hero again after saving from Havertz.
The ultimate outcome of the decision shouldn’t alter the issue that the match official missed what was a clear dive from the Arsenal forward and failed to deliver the proper punishment.
Supporters have often been outspoken about the use of VAR in English football, but as Hackett explains, the referee would almost certainly have overturned his decision with the benefit of a review.
Man United also took to their official social media following the result as they shared “Justice”, with Havertz being the one to miss his penalty providing a sense of irony.
Hackett, however, insisted Madley had made “a huge error” during the initial 90 minutes after missing the blatant dive.
“This was not a penalty kick,” he told Football Insider.
“The referee made a huge error.
“Frankly, the Arsenal player should have received a yellow card for a clear act of simulation.
“The question that we can ask – if VAR was in operation, I suggest that the referee would have been instructed to view the monitor.
“Then, the process may well have secured a different outcome.”
In other news, Arsenal are “closely watching” Tyrick Mitchell.
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