Keith Hackett stunned by VAR decision as ‘reckless’ Celtic-Hibs footage analysed
Hibernian star Joe Newell should have been sent off during the 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead after a “reckless” challenge on Arne Engels.
Replays of the incident showed the 31-year-old had left the ground in the challenge, leading to calls for a red card despite him having won the ball cleanly.
The former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief told Football Insider that “these types of challenges should be outlawed” and insisted it should have warranted a sending-off.
Hackett went on to explain that referee Chris Graham should have been sent to the VAR screen, after which he insisted a red card would have been awarded.
However, no decision was made by the officials and Newell went on to play 82 minutes before being replaced by Dwight Gayle.
Brendan Rodgers’ side ran out 3-0 winners thanks to an early strike from Engels, an own goal from Newell, and a late Kyogo Furuhashi strike to put the game to bed.
They now remain nine points ahead of Aberdeen at the top of the table, despite having played one game fewer, while they are 11 points clear of Rangers in third place.
Keith Hackett insists Hibernian star should have seen red v Celtic
The game’s eventual result has not affected the insistence that Newell should have seen red given the nature of his heavy challenge.
The midfielder jumped into the tackle with both feet off the ground, and Hackett has insisted that type of challenge should warrant a red card regardless of whether he got the ball.
“This was a very close call and Christmas arrived early for the player,” he told Football Insider.
“It was certainly a reckless challenge, [yellow card] minimum, and VAR was right to view the incident given that the player launched himself off the ground which meant that he was out of control unable to stop or change direction.
“The review should have recommended the referee to visit the monitor and at that point I would have expected after viewing it again for a red card to be produced.
“It was an act of Serious Foul Play and these types of challenges should be outlawed and consistently sanctioned by the officials.
“Please do not use the ball as an excuse to issue a yellow card.”
In other news, Celtic could look to sign Chelsea star in January.
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