Hackett digs at referee ‘smokescreen’ as he breaks down Newcastle controversy
Keith Hackett has heaped praise on VAR for overturning the offside decision in the build-up as Newcastle United were awarded a penalty against Manchester City.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA and Premier League official claimed the offside decision was a “smokescreen” and VAR was to correct to overturn it.
Allan Saint-Maximin was played in behind the Man City defence before Joelinton picked up the ball and was fouled by Nathan Ake.
Referee Kevin Friend awarded City a free-kick after he adjudged Saint-Maximin to be offside.
VAR overturned the decision and instead awarded Newcastle a penalty for Ake’s challenge.
“The outcome is the correct decision,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The general view is, on viewing it, we think he’s offside but as play continues it’s not awarded by the referee or his assistants. He’s then not awarded a penalty kick.
“That’s checked back by VAR and said ‘That’s a penalty kick.’ And they then award a penalty.
“The offside may well be a smokescreen. We should ignore the offside call completely. Here was the VAR coming in and correctly awarding a penalty kick.
“There was however some confusion surrounding whether the Newcastle forward was in an offside position when he received the ball but that was proven not to be otherwise VAR would have come in on that.
“Being a referee, first of all, is it offside? No. He allows play to continue. He doesn’t give the penalty kick and he’s got that wrong and VAR has come in and said ‘This is a penalty kick’.
“VAR was used correctly.”
In other news, Newcastle United are plotting a raid for a regular Leeds United starter and £10million will seal the deal.