Exclusive: PGMOL insider reacts to unusual half time incident in Tottenham win
Keith Hackett has given his verdict on an incident that led to a delay in the start of the second half during the Europa League clash between Tottenham and Bodo/Glimt.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there would have been less pressure on UEFA with such a delay than there would be for a hold-up to kick off in the first half.
Tottenham moved closer to the Europa League final with a 3-1 home win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday (1 May) in the first leg of their semi final tie.
It was an eventful game that delivered plenty of talking points when it came to scheduling and officiating.
Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt kick-off twice delayed
It has been suggested that Bodo/Glimt will be fined for holding up kick-off in the first half as a result of their pre-match team talk [Ryan Taylor], due to scheduling agreements with broadcasters.
Once the game got underway, the hosts went in front through Brennan Johnson after just 40 seconds, but only once there had been a VAR check for push by Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma in the build up.
There was more work for video officials to do on the half-hour mark, which ended with Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie surviving a penalty check against him.
| Tottenham last five games | Result |
| Wolves (A) | Lost 4-1 |
| Frankfurt (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | Lost 2-1 |
| Liverpool (A) | Lost 5-1 |
| Bodo/Glimt (H) | Won 3-1 |
Shortly after James Maddison would find the back of the net to give Spurs a 2-0 lead going into half time, where there would be an extended break.
The start of the second half was held up by four minutes, after a calf injury picked up by one of the assistant referees meant he was forced to swap roles with the fourth official.
Now Hackett has given his insight on that second delay, suggesting it will not have caused as big an issue as the one before the first half began.
Keith Hackett reacts as official’s injury holds up semi final
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the length of the delay and if a contingency plan should have been in place, the former referee explained the process by saying:
“There is less media pressure by television companies with regard to the start of the second half.
“The assistant will have been looked at by one of the club’s physios and a decision will have been made that he is unable to continue.
“At that point they will also have had to determine if the injured assistant is able to do the fourth official’s duties.”
A Dominic Solanke penalty on the hour mark extended the lead for Tottenham, before Ulrik Saltnes’ deflected strike pulled one back for Bodo/Glimt ahead of the second leg next week.