Keith Hackett reacts to Sunderland penalty controversy in defeat to Hull City
Keith Hackett has given his reaction after Sunderland were denied a penalty for handball during their defeat to Hull City.
The former PGMOL official and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there would have been some justification for awarding a spot kick for handball by Hull defender Lewie Coyle.
After Sunderland were dramatically beaten by Leeds last time out, the Black Cats saw their promotion hopes dealt another blow against the Tigers on Saturday (22 February).
An own goal by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson who was recently a transfer target for Man United and Tottenham, as he fumbled a corner into his own net, was enough to secure all three points for Hull at the Stadium of Light.
However, Regis le Bris‘ side were seemingly controversially denied the chance to snatch an equaliser late on in that game.
Sunderland see penalty appeals waved away against Hull City
As Sunderland went in search of a leveller deep into the second half, they felt they ought to have been given the chance to do just that from the penalty.
A cross into the Hull penalty area hit Coyle on both his outstretched right-hand and thigh, before bouncing away to safety.
There were frantic appeals from the home side for a penalty, but that was not awarded by referee Farai Hallam.
That therefore could turn out to be a significant moment for the Black Cats as they continue their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.
Now Hackett has suggested that Sunderland may have been hard done by not to be awarded a penalty, although he does have sympathy with the official over his decision not to give a spot-kick.
Keith Hackett reacts to Black Cats penalty claim in defeat
Speaking to Football Insider penalty claim for Le Bris’ side, the former referee said:
“I think had the referee seen that there’s a justification to award a penalty kick. I feel that the referee’s decided that there’s a degree of (uncertainty). He’s only got one look at it. There’s no replays, and I’m struggling to say that really is handball.
“So I’m going to go along with the referee and say ‘was it deliberate? I don’t think so.’
“That is a tight call, it’s one you wouldn’t want as a referee!”
Sunderland are next in action with a trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night (28 February).
Hull meanwhile gave their Championship survival chances a major boost with that victory, ahead of a trip to face another side fighting to avoid relegation in the form of Cardiff City on Tuesday (25 February).