Exclusive: VAR official hammered after ‘clear violent act’ during Brighton vs Brentford
Joao Pedro should have been sent off for Brighton during their goalless draw with Brentford, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that VAR official Chris Kavanagh should have advised referee to Andy Madley to review the incident in question on-field.
It was a relatively quiet clash between the two sides at the AMEX Stadium on Friday (27 December) with neither side able to get on the scoresheet.
There was though one flashpoint involving Pedro that perhaps should have left Brighton playing the final stages of the game with ten men.
Joao Pedro avoids red card call as Brighton draw with Brentford
Amid some impressive form for the Seagulls, the attacker is understood to be attracting some high profile interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.
However, the Brighton ace may now find himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons, after what happened against Brentford.
With 75 minutes on the clock, Pedro looked to break forward on the attack only to be pulled back by opposition midfielder Yegor Yarmolyuk.
As referee Madley blew to award a free-kick to the attacker, Pedro swung his elbow in the direction of the Brentford man, but did not make contact with him.
The incident was then checked by VAR, who deemed it was not worthy of an on-field review for the actions of the Brighton man, something Hackett disagrees with.
Speaking to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said:
“This was a clear violent act with the player using a bent elbow with force as a weapon. The fact that it missed and failed to injure a player is not a consideration.
“In law you can be dismissed for striking or attempting to strike. That is why Pedro should have received a red card.
“I am surprised and disappointed that an experienced referee, Chris Kavanagh, sitting in the VAR chair did not help and advise referee Andy Madley to visit the monitor.
“Madley only has one view and may not have had the angle afforded the VAR.”
Following that draw, Brighton and Brentford now sit tenth and 11th in the Premier League table respectively.
That will be frustrating for Pedro and his teammates who are now winless in their last five, a run that has seen them slip out of contention for a place in the top four.
In other news, an Arsenal player has reacted to a recent Joao Pedro message.
For more Brighton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.