Keith Hackett slams safety issue after ‘serious’ Harrogate Town incident
Keith Hackett has issued a warning about equipment being left on the run-off areas around football pitches after a “serious” injury for Harrogate Town in the FA Cup .
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee exclusively told Football Insider of his concerns after the FA Cup second round tie between Harrogate Town and Gainsbrough Trinity.
It was the League Two side who advanced to the third round with a 1-0 victory over their non-league opponents thanks to a Dean Cornelius goal.
The game though, was also overshadowed by a worrying looking injury to Harrogate midfielder Stephen Dooley.
That came in an incident that has now prompted Hackett to call for clubs to look into the issue of things being left on the side of the pitch during games.
Keith Hackett reacts to Stephen Dooley injury in Harrogate win
Shortly after half-time, Dooley found himself chasing a loose ball from a set-piece in an attempt to prevent it going out for a throw-in.
As he chased the ball, a pursuing Gainsbrough player made contact with the Harrogate man, causing him to fall and collide with a large piece of equipment on the side of the pitch.
That left the 33-year-old needing lengthy treatment, before he was eventually helped from the pitch, with treatment still being applied to his head following the blow.
Given the dangerous nature of head injuries and such a blow, Hackett has called for a change in where equipment such as that is placed during games, telling Football Insider:“Interesting incident where a Harrogate Town player was running at speed towards the touchline followed by an opponent.
“A slight nudge sent the Harrogate player sliding off the field into a poorly placed what looked like a sound system, sustaining a serious head injury.
“So important to keep the run off areas clear to avoid this type of incident.”
Cornelius’ header shortly after the incident was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the League Two side, putting them into the draw for the next round.
Dooley’s injury highlighted yet another area of the game officials must keep on top of in addition to events inside the white lines, with different technology systems and their own private lives also in the spotlight.
In other news, Keith Hackett has issued a warning about the system used by VAR after controversy between Southampton and Brighton.
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