Keith Hackett hits out at VAR as Chris Kavanagh makes ‘history’ in Aston Villa vs Wolves
Chris Kavanagh should be applauded after not bowing down to VAR over a controversial incident in Aston Villa versus Wolves.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Premier League should take a leaf out of Willie Collum and the Scottish Premiership‘s book.
Villa Park was slammed by Don Goodman during a very narrow 1-0 win over the Old Gold on Sunday, 30 November, with Boubacar Kamara scoring the only goal from outside of the penalty area.
Wolves’ exit-linked striker Jorgan Strand Larsen had wheeled away in celebration earlier in the game, only for his goal to be chalked off due to Jhon Arias blocking Emi Martinez‘s view from an offside position.
Jhon Arias escapes a sending-off at Villa Park
Arias was involved once again, just 10 minutes before the final whistle, as Kavanagh was asked to check the pitch-side monitor for the winger’s studs-up challenge on Kamara.
After reviewing the footage, the referee refused to upgrade his decision to a red card, despite the VAR’s opinion, leaving Rob Edwards‘ side with all 11 players still on the pitch come full-time.
Had it been a different referee, Arias might not have been so fortunate, but Hackett found it important to commend Kavanagh for his decision, with so much negativity surrounding the PGMOL this season.
The most important part of this for Howard Webb will be finding consistency, with referees also encouraged to not always follow VAR, sticking to their own opinions on the pitch as well.
Chris Kavanagh spot-on as Wolves avoid red card after VAR review
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I support Chris Kavanagh. I think his judgment was the correct one, and I don’t think VAR should have intervened because it wasn’t a clear and obvious error.
“I applaud Kavanagh for sticking with his decision because I think it’s the correct one. There’s a great deal of subjectivity, so sitting in the warmth of a studio with replays, it’s easy to issue a red card.
“What I gain from it is what we see in Scotland with their VAR operation, when Willie Collum tells his referees to make the decision, and not VAR…
“I think we’ve got into a trap with the PGMOL where we’re allowing the VAR to make critical decisions, and therefore, this is only the third time in the history of Premier League VAR of a referee sticking with his decision after going to the monitor.“