Exclusive: PGMOL called out after Simon Hooper rule on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak
Keith Hackett has questioned the PGMOL after Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s goal was disallowed against Arsenal.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that it was disappointing not to see the reasoning behind offside being given as the goal was being reviewed in real time following a lengthy delay at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Mikel Arteta’s side on Wednesday (5 February), completing a 4-0 aggregate win across the two legs of their semi-final, potentially adding to the frustration of the Gunners boss over his side’s lack of January transfer business.
Isak has been heavily linked with a move from Newcastle to Arsenal this season, and gave the Gunners’ defence a torrid time in that match, but was denied the chance to get on he scoresheet himself.
Alexander Isak sees early Newcastle goal ruled out v Arsenal
With just a matter of minutes on the clock, Isak thought he had put his side ahead of the night, finishing clinically after racing through on goal.
Last summer, it was announced that company Genius Sports will operate a semi-automated system aimed at quickly identifying goals scored from an offside position.
So far though the system has yet to be implemented, and so it took several minutes to determine that the Newcastle striker was offside in the build-up to his goal, before it was disallowed.
Referee Simon Hooper then announced that live in the stadium as part of a trial taking place to improve clarity of decisions for fans in the stadium.
Hackett though was unimpressed that the goal for Newcastle took so long to be ruled, and that the process was not shown live for those watching on television.
Keith Hackett reacts to VAR delay in Newcastle vs Arsenal
Speaking to Football Insider about that disallowed goal, the former referee said:
“Newcastle United opened the scoring and after a lengthy review we witnessed Referee Simon Hooper pointing to the Newcastle United player Isak and then making a public announcement that the goal was ruled out for offside.
“When Simon Hooper made the imaginary rectangle sign and with a raised arm everyone was aware that offside had been awarded.
“Sadly watching at home we did not see the confirmation lines drawn to show the offside position of Isaac when the ball was played. PGMOL, when is Genius Sports going to deliver the Semi-automated offside system?“
Although Isak’s goal was ruled out, his strike off the post was followed up by Jacob Murphy to open the scoring in that game for Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon then pounced on an error from Arsenal ‘keeper David Raya early in the second half to secure an emphatic aggregate win for the Magpies.
That meant Isak still had plenty of reason to celebrate for Newcastle as they confirmed their place in the Carabao Cup final, despite his goal being ruled out.