Exclusive: PGMOL insider surprised Amad Diallo denied Man United penalty at West Ham
Man United winger Amad Diallo could have been awarded a penalty during his side’s defeat to West Ham.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider he can understand why the referee did not award the Ivorian a spot kick after challenges from Aaron Cresswell and Tomas Soucek.
After Man United secured their place in the final of the Europa League with victory over Athletic Bilbao last week, they were quickly brought back down to earth in the Premier League.
Goals from Soucek and Jarrod Bowen secured a 2-0 win for West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday (11 May), leaving the Red Devils 16th in the Premier League table.
Despite that, Football Insider understands Ruben Amorim is still set to be Man United manager at the start of next season, amid questions around his future.
Indeed, things could have gone differently during this clash with the Hammers, had one key decision gone their way.
Amad Diallo penalty appeals ignored
Earlier this season, Amad was a big miss for Man United as he endured a spell on the sidelines through injury earlier this season, and he has impressed since returning.
The 22-year-old again caught the eye against Graham Potter’s side, and came close to turning the game back in his side’s favour.
Early in the second half with the Red Devils trailing 1-0, Amad picked up possession on the right and carred the ball into the opposition penalty.
| Amad Diallo vs West Ham | Total (SofaScore) |
| Shots on Target | 1 |
| Shots off Target | 0 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/5 |
| Accurate Passes | 37/40 |
| Duels Won | 4/9 |
West Ham pair Cresswell and Soucek both then threw out arms which made contact with the Man United man causing him to go to ground.
Although Amad then appealed for a penalty none was given by referee Jarred Gillett, a decision which was supported by VAR.
Hackett though has suggested that if the threshold was set where he believes would be appropriate, a spot kick would have been given to the hosts.
‘Man United unlucky not to get a penalty’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider whether the West Ham pair could have been penalised for that challenge on Amad, the former referee said:
“See, what you’ve got is players who can now hold their hands out knowing that if they make contact with an opponent they’re not going to be penalised, it’s not going to be judged as holding or pulling.
“It’s not enough for a penalty kick but you look at it and you think well it’s careless challenge, under law I think generally Man United are unlucky not to get a penalty in that situation.
“Because the player’s held his hand out. I think that what they’ve done is under their remit of minimal contact they’ve allowed it not to be a penalty kick.
“So I don’t blame the match officials here, I think it’s down to who’s directing them in terms of this bar. So they’ve put a fictitious bar there and it says this is not enough to award a penalty kick.
“The law however, says for a holding offence it’s a foul and this is the dilemma that it creates. So for me I’m surprised a penalty kick’s not awarded.”