Hackett demands more punishments to follow Lee Mason sacking as Arsenal controversy takes new twist
Keith Hackett has suggested that PGMOL chief Howard Webb should follow up on Lee Mason’s exit by taking action against “other referees” following the VAR mistake during Arsenal v Brentford.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted that Webb made the right decision in removing Mason from VAR duties.
Arsenal left the Emirates Stadium with just a point on 11 February after Ivan Toney scored in the 74th minute for Brentford to level the score at 1-1.
However, replay footage showed that Christian Norgaard was in an offside position when he crossed the ball to Toney, and therefore the goal should have been chalked off.
But Mason forgot to draw the offside lines for the build-up play and the goal stood, leaving Arsenal with just one point in their race for the Premier League title.
Following the mistake, it was announced on Saturday (18 February) that Mason will no longer work on Premier League games, with the 51-year-old leaving the PGMOL by mutual consent.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “We have to take into account Lee Mason’s record with VAR, it’s not his first major error in this role.
“This particular mistake was careless, damaging to the competition and not expected of an elite official.
“It could easily have an impact on the league title.
“There are some roles in football that require specific expertise and some people are just not capable of doing them.
“Ultimately, there is a mutual agreement between Mason and the PGMOL.
“It is the right call for everyone involved, but I don’t think Howard Webb can stop there.
“There are other referees that come into the same category that need addressing.“
In other news, Arsenal in pole position to sign Declan Rice on £200,000-a-week deal after new talks