Hackett Exclusive: Ex-FIFA referee stunned as Brentford denied penalty at Ipswich
Keith Hackett has hit out at the decision not to award a penalty to Brentford during their win over Ipswich.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the current head of the PGMOL, Howard Webb, must give clearer advice to officials over incident of holding inside the area.
Bryan Mbeumo has enjoyed an excellent season, and Football Insider understands Man United and Newcastle are interested in the Brentford midfielder.
He again showed why that is the case when the Bees took on Ipswich on Saturday (10 May), providing the assist for Kevin Schade to head in the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 win.
However, Thomas Frank‘s side were denied the chance to further extend their advantage in that game midway through the second half.
Axel Tuanzebe hauls down Nathan Collins
With 66 minutes on the clock in the game, a long throw in by Brentford full-back Michael Kayode made its way into the Ipswich area.
As he chased the flight of the ball, Bees centre-back Nathan Collins was pulled to ground by opposition defender Axel Tuanzebe.
That led to frantic appeals from the visitors for a penalty, which were ignored by on-field referee Sam Barrott.
| Brentford last five games | Result |
| Arsenal (A) | Drew 1-1 |
| Brighton (H) | Won 4-2 |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | Won 2-0 |
| Manchester United (H) | Won 4-3 |
| Ipswich Town (A) | Won 1-0 |
The incident was then checked by VAR, which also agreed with the decision not to award a spot kick, deeming the clash to have been “mutual holding”.
Hackett though, does not agree with the decision, and has urged Webb to help referees when they have to make decisions on these calls from next season.
Brentford unlucky not to get penalty at Ipswich Town
After being asked by Football Insider if he believes Brentford should have been given a spot kick for that pull on Collins by Tuanzebe, the former referee said:
“I mean that’s a penalty. This is a youngish referee who I’ve praised throughout the season and this referee along with many others needs leadership and direction from Howard Webb.
“This is a holding offence, I’m clear it’s a penalty kick, it’s not given, it’s a review, not given. Well ‘mutual’ what does that mean?
“‘Mutual’, in the eyes of VAR and referees says ‘wrestling’. I said yesterday to someone why not if you’re a manager buy in two WWE wrestlers and bring them in and strengthen will win out.
“I’m being facetious but the Ipswich player has chased and it’s sustained holding, he’s moved with the player, he’s holding him as they’re moving, I don’t know what more they want.
“No wonder the manager’s thinking ‘what’s happening’. I think this is having a negative effect on match officials overall.
“I do think that a lot of stakeholders in the game are going ‘well ok they’re all letting it happen.'”
This win ensures Brentford remain in the mix for potential European qualification ahead of their clash with Fulham on Sunday afternoon (18 May).
Ipswich meanwhile have already long since seen their relegation back to the Championship confirmed.