Hackett hails ‘superb’ referee after Man City controversy
Keith Hackett has heaped praise on Antonio Mateu Lahoz for not awarding Manchester City a penalty against Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA and Premier League referee insisted the “quirky” Mateu Lahoz showed English viewers what Premier League referees are missing.
Man City appealed for a penalty when Raheem Sterling’s shot hit the arm of Reece James.
However, on closer inspection, it initially struck James’ chest before bouncing onto his arm which was in a natural position.
Mateu Lahoz made that clear when explaining his decision.
“I don’t think he could’ve been better positioned, he was superbly positioned,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He was then confident in his decision making, his body language was brilliant. That’s to indicate around the world that the ball has hit the chest of the player then the arm and the arm is a natural position. It’s a big call and he gets it right.
“The other side of it is, I just like the way VAR operated. It looked at the incident without stopping the game, without getting involved. ‘That’s the correct decision, move on.’
“Speaking to one or two Spanish people I know he’s regarded as a bit quirky. But for me, I think referees that have personality, which he showed, it comes out as confidence. He wasn’t nervous. He looked completely in control and it was really refreshing.
“What it demonstrates to me is, you see the massive gap to what we see in England in the season gone. This guy is suddenly doing well in a game involving two Premier League teams.”
In other news, Manchester City have opened contract talks with a teenage sensation who is as good as Phil Foden.