Howard Webb sent key Farai Hallam message after Man City vs Wolves ‘nightmare’
Howard Webb must instate Farai Hallam as a regular Premier League official after making a splash in Man City’s win over Wolves on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the referee deserves recognition, as he stuck to his guns to deny Man City a penalty.
While Yerson Mosquera should have seen red for a challenge on Jeremy Doku, Darren England should have spotted that incident from Stockley Park, with the referee instead dishing out a yellow card.
Pep Guardiola made comments about Hallam at full-time, going to the centre-circle to make his feelings known, while also aiming criticism at the head of the PGMOL in his post-match press conference.
Farai Hallam backs himself over key Man City vs Wolves decision
Officials have become reliant on VAR to make key decisions, which was evident during the FA Cup week, with several bad mistakes being made in the country’s most prestigious tournament.
However, despite being directed to the pitch-side monitor to review Omar Marmoush‘s penalty call, the new referee stuck to his original decision of no penalty, earning great respect from Premier League fans.
While Hackett originally thought the wrong decision had been made before changing his mind, the former PGMOL chief remained constant in his praise for the Premier League debutant.
Howard Webb told to ‘sign him up tomorrow’ by former PGMOL chief
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I thought he was brilliant. What you’ve got is a referee who has accelerated his career pretty quickly. I looked at that decision and had a lot of debate.
“Initially, I stuck with the decision that I thought he got it wrong. I thought VAR Darren England was correct in bringing him to the screen, and this debate all centres around the laws of handball.
“It’s a nightmare. I’ve been arguing with referees around it, and a lot agree with my view. Is the player’s hand in a natural position? I think that’s subjective. His arm is out, and the ball strikes it.
“That gives the option of a penalty kick, and explains why Pep Guardiola was so strong in his condemnation. I went with handball, but looking at it now, I’m more convinced that this referee, if I were the PGMOL boss, I’d sign him up tomorrow.
“I want him permanently refereeing Premier League games, just because of his courage to stick with his call. Rightly, he’s receiving a lot of praise.”