Exclusive: Referee tipped for Premier League promotion after QPR vs Blackburn
Keith Hackett has tipped referee James Linington for a promotion to the Premier League in the wake of his performance in the Blackburn loss at QPR.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Linington had been in a “terrific position” to award a spot-kick to the visitors, also praising his reading of the game.
John Eustace’s side saw their Championship play-offs hopes dealt a blow on Tuesday night (4 February), as they were beaten 2-1 away at Lostus Road.
Having gone a goal down though, Blackburn had been handed a chance to get back into the game when Linington pointed to the spot.
Blackburn penalty award leads to referee praise
Hackett was previously critical of two penalties awarded to Blackburn in their 2-1 win over Preston North End on Friday (31 January).
On this occasion though, he praised the decision by Linington to award a spot-kick to Rovers, after Callum Brittain went down inside the area under a challenge from QPR winger Koki Saito.
Speaking to Football Insider about that decision, the former referee said:
“Experienced Championship referee James Linington in a terrific position correctly awards a penalty kick to Blackburn Rovers.
“I have said before that this referee deserves an appointment to a Premier League game. Reads the game well and maintains good contact with the game.”
Tyrhys Dolan would convert the penalty to make it 1-1, after Michael Frey had earlier put the home side in front.
However, Blackburn would still return from this match empty-handed, following a late strike from substitute Jack Colback.
Ironically, Rovers were unhappy that Linington and his officials did not penalise QPR attacker Alfie Lloyd for handling the ball in the build-up to that goal.
Eustace’s side have stayed fifth in the Championship table as a result of that defeat, while QPR are 13th, just thee points adrift of the play-off places.