Exclusive: PGMOL insider shocked by Charlton v Leyton Orient incident
PGMOL officials have been slammed after the communication kit worn by Andrew Kitchen failed during the League One playoff final between Charlton and Leyton Orient.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett, who insisted that the PGMOL, led by Mike Jones, should have dealt with the situation far better to avoid what ended up being a lengthy and unnecessary delay.
It was Charlton who ultimately walked away with the victory and won promotion to the Championship despite the tension added by the break in play.
Nathan Jones‘ side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a first-half free-kick goal from Macaulay Gillesphey, despite having far less possession and opportunities than their opponents.
Orient will be gutted to have missed out on promotion despite being the more impressive team on the day, and will now be forced to reset in the summer.
PGMOL slammed after Charlton v Leyton Orient failure
In a game packed with drama and tension, the biggest talking point came in the closing moments when referee Kitchen lost contact with VAR at Stockley Park.
Kitchen left the field of play to deal with the communication issues following a triple substitution for Leyton Orient in the 81st minute.
However, it was the lengthy break of more than five minutes that followed which left fans and players increasingly frustrated as he did not return until the 87th minute.
Supporters at Wembley were left in the dark about the situation, while any momentum the game had gathered in its closing stages was killed.
11 minutes of injury time was added as a result of the break in play, but that has not prevented heavy criticism of the PGMOL and their system.
Hackett hits out at PGMOL and Mike Jones after new controversy
This is not the first time an official’s communication kit has suffered issues during a game, and there have now been calls for the PGMOL to find a conclusion.
Hackett has insisted the referees should have a full spare kit which would enable them to quickly change the device and avoid any major delays.
“You cannot make it up,” he told Football Insider.
“The communication kit worn by the match officials fails. Clearly, this needs to operate in order for the officials to be in conact with VAR at Stockley Park.
“I cannot understand why the PGMOL under the management of Mike Jones does not have a full spare kit available for a speedy changeover.
“It impacts the momentum of the game.”
Despite the frustrations, Charlton will be looking forward to a return to the Championship, while Orient will be forced to go back to the drawing board.
The likes of Jamie Donley, Jack Currie, Charlie Kelman and Josh Keeley will now return to their parent clubs, casting doubt over the club’s fortunes next season.