Keith Hackett stunned as Simon Hooper thrown VAR ‘lifebelt’ over Chelsea controversy vs Brighton
Simon Hooper should not have required VAR to make a “crunch decision” during Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the referee depended too heavily on VAR during the clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 27 September.
Chelsea lost 3-1 to Brighton after initially taking the lead through Enzo Fernandez, with the entire game changing after Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for a last-man tackle on Diego Gomez in the 53rd minute.
Malo Gusto should have given away a penalty after kicking an opponent in the head while clearing the ball. Still, goals from Danny Welbeck and Maxim De Cuyper saw the Seagulls claim victory.
Trevoh Chalobah should have seen red instantly vs Brighton
While Hooper eventually came to the right decision over Chalobah’s sending off, many were stunned as to how the referee did not initially award anything after the Chelsea centre-back’s foul.
Enzo Maresca has been warned over Chelsea pressure, which could soon emerge after three defeats in his last four matches, and the Blues will be looking to change their form against Benfica.
Defeat at home to Brighton has certainly not helped the manager’s case, but there is still plenty of time and opportunities for him to turn his fortunes around after a huge dip in form.
He will, however, be without yet another defender after Chalobah’s red card, but rewatching the incident once again, Hackett cannot understand why he was not instantly sanctioned without a VAR review.
Simon Hooper should not have required VAR for Chalobah’s red card
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Yes. He wasn’t in the best position. It’s very clearly an offence for which he should have gone. Simon Hooper is a referee who likes to keep the game flowing.
“I genuinely like his style of refereeing, but you still have to get the big decisions right. On this one, he should have seen it, but he’s got a lifebelt.
“They all know they’ve got a lifebelt. When that crunch decision comes, they place blame on VAR, not making the big decision themselves. He should have sanctioned the incident without VAR.”