Exclusive: Michael Oliver right to deny Man City v Nottingham Forest – Ex-PGMOL boss
Keith Hackett has hailed referee Michael Oliver after he denied Man City a penalty in their FA Cup semi final win over Nottingham Forest.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider the official was right not to penalise young full-back Zach Abbott after appeals for handball against him.
Oliver has come under fire at times this season, not least after sending off Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves.
Even so, the referee was again given a key appointment on Sunday (27 April), when taking charge of that semi final at Wembley between Man City and Nottingham Forest.
Zach Abbott avoids conceding penalty on rare first-team outing
It took Man City less than two minutes to take the lead through Rico Lewis in this match, with the versatile 20-year-old finding the bottom corner from just outside the area.
That was enough to give Pep Guardiola‘s side a 1-0 lead at half time, and they went in search of a second shortly after the break.
With Ola Aina and Neco Williams both unavailable for Nottingham Forest, 18-year-old Zach Abbott was handed just his third senior appearance for the club at Wembley.
| Zach Abbott vs Man City | Total (from SofaScore) |
| Minutes Played | 83 |
| Successful Passes | 6/8 |
| Duels Won | 2/4 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Shots Blocked | 2 |
The teenager avoided a scare early in the second half when a strike from Mateo Kovacic hit his hands inside the area, prompting frantic appeals from the Man City midfielder.
Oliver though elected not to give the penalty, with that decision also being confirmed by VAR, and Hackett believes the position of Abbott’s arms means that was the correct decision.
‘Man City right to be denied penalty at Wembley’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider if he agreed with that decision not to give a spot kick to Man City, the former referee said:
“I don’t think he [Abbott] can do much about it. I think he’s actually tried get his hands out of the way. I’m not giving it.
“I think the hands are close enough to the body to not award it. I don’t think there’s any deliberate handling of the ball so it’s not enough for me I think the referee’s got it right. Good.”
Moments later Josko Gvardiol did head home from a corner for Man City to make it 2-0, securing their place in the final next month where they will face Crystal Palace.