Hackett hails ‘cracking’ ref for Dean Huijsen incident in Bournemouth vs Wolves
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen was rightly not sent off despite being the subject of a check for denial of a goalscoring opportunity during his side’s FA Cup win over Wolves, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that he was surprised to see VAR check the incident.
It was a tough afternoon for the Bournemouth defender despite his side securing their place in the FA Cup quarter finals.
He was the man who was inadvertently denied his side a second goal when Huijsen was judged to be in an offside position following a long VAR check.
The 19-year-old also missed his penalty in the shootout which decided the game, that Bournemouth eventually went on to win 5-4 on penalties at the Vitality Stadium.
Dean Huijsen survives red card scare vs Wolves
Just moments after Wolves had equalised through a brilliant strike from Cunha, it looked as though they would have the chance to take the lead.
After an excellent goal-line clearance from Toti, the visitors attempted to mount a counter attack, which was stopped when Huijsen brought down Cunha.
A number of Wolves player appealed for a red card to be shown, but Barrott elected to issue a yellow card to the Bournemouth defender.
Although that was then checked by VAR, they decided to back the on-field decision, ensuring Huijsen remained on the pitch.
Now, Hackett has backed the decision not to send off the Bournemouth man, stating there was enough cover for him not to be denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Keith Hackett reacts as Bournemouth survive red card check
Speaking to Football Insider about that decision not to send Huijsen off, the former referee said:
“I think that what he (the referee) has seen, is the covering defender. Tight call, but if you’re going to ship somebody for denial I think you’ve got to be 100%.
“So I think Sam Barrott, who’s having a really cracking season, has judged that one pretty accurately. I think it would be difficult for VAR to come in and say ‘have another look, overturn it’.
“I’m surprised VAR came out because it’s not a clear and obvious error. There’s a load of subjectivity about denial.
| Dean Huijsen for Bournemouth vs Wolves | Total (as per SofaScore) |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Successful Duels | 7/10 |
| Successful Passes | 73/77 |
| Fouls | 1 |
“The first thing is distance from goal, well he’s not that far. Then the probability of controlling the ball, he’s not too far so all these aspects are part of the process.
“I think that on this one he’s decided that there is a covering defender, that’s going to that to that ball, and that’s a subjective judgement call, I think I tend to support that, it would have been a harsh red card for denial.”
There would of course be one red card late on in that game, with Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha sent off after lashing out at Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.