Keith Hackett: Burnley have 'no grounds for complaint' over Raul Jimenez penalty for Fulham
Raul Jimenez's penalty was correctly allowed to stand despite Burnley players' contesting against the Fulham star's approach.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Chris Kavanagh applied the law perfectly as the Cottagers converted a late spot-kick on Saturday, 21 March.
Multiple Burnley players were furious after Jimenez's stop-and-start routine put off Martin Dubravka in between the sticks, firing his shot into the top corner from 12 yards out at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva's side sealed all three points after Joshua King and Harry Wilson cancelled out Zian Flemming's opener, and Hackett is certain that the penalty deserved to stand in the final moments.
Burnley complaints fall on deaf ears over Raul Jimenez penalty
In the third minute of added time, Josh Laurent was sent off for a last-ditch push on the Mexico international, giving away a spot-kick for the league's most clinical penalty taker.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "The penalty kick law states that feinting in the run-up is permitted. Football rules also state that the player can stop or start in the run-up.
"Therefore, this kick is perfectly legal, and Burnley have no grounds for complaint. The application of the law was correctly administered by the referee."
| Raul Jimenez vs Burnley | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 8 |
| Touches | 11 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.87 |
| Passing accuracy | 83% (5/6) |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Ground duels won | 100% (1/1) |
The Cottagers are now just five points off the top five spots in the Premier League table, with a trip to Anfield up next, which will play a huge role in where the team finish this season.
Scott Parker edges closer to the sack after Fulham defeat
Scott Parker was already one of the likeliest Premier League managers to be sacked next, ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, and his chances are only worse following the game.
Oliver Glasner and Arne Slot are both also in the race currently, the latter even more so after Liverpool slipped up to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on the same day.
The Clarets are still nine points from safety, with only seven games remaining, and they could yet finish bottom of the Premier League table following a resurgence from bottom-of-the-table Wolves.
Finishing rock bottom would almost certainly end his time as manager at Turf Moor, but he may not even make it to the end of the campaign at this rate.