Jacob Murphy: Ex-Fifa official suggests real reason Newcastle denied ‘nailed-on penalty’ as controversy analysed
Keith Hackett fears a lack of experience was to blame after Newcastle United were denied “a nailed on penalty” at Chelsea on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League referee suggested on-field referee David Coote and VAR official John Brooks did not have the courage to make “the big decisions” at Stamford Bridge.
As shown on Sky Sports (13 March), the Magpies wanted a penalty after Trevoh Chalobah brought down Jacob Murphy in Chelsea’s 1-0 win yesterday.
Coote decided the contact was not worthy of a penalty and after a VAR check, Brooks opted not to intervene.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ commentary, Jamie Carragher said Chalobah was “a lucky boy” not to concede a penalty.
When asked for his assessment of the incident, Hackett told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “I do not know what the referee is doing.
“Coote is one of the younger referees coming through on the list. This was a big game for him and I think it got to him. What you have to do as a referee is have the courage to make the big decisions.
“I cannot see how he could allow the pulling of the shirt and a push with the left hand not to be a penalty. It was a nailed on penalty. This was an easy one. I’m struggling to find a reason as to why it wasn’t given.
“The only reason for him not giving it would be if he didn’t see it. But in that situation, you want the VAR official to intervene.
“You have to look at the relationship between Coote and Brooks. Brooks has had three Premier League games this season. He’s the new kid on the block.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed this may be real reason PIF chose Newcastle over Chelsea as new details emerge.