‘Massive’ – Alphonse Areola savaged by ex-Fifa ref as West Ham footage re-analysed
Alphonse Areola’s “careless” actions deserved to be punished despite Ayden Heaven’s theatrical fall as Man United beat West Ham, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee was in the perfect position to award a penalty as Ruben Amorim‘s side ran out 2-1 winners on Sunday, 27 July.
Bruno Fernandes, who has been warned about new rule changes ahead of next season, netted a spot-kick after just five minutes of the Premier League Summer Series, grabbing his brace in the second half.
Jarrod Bowen grabbed a goal back with an audacious finish past Altay Bayandir, but it was not enough for Graham Potter’s Hammers to stage a comeback at the MetLife Stadium in America.
Ayden Heaven wins Man United penalty v West Ham
During the defeat for the Irons, Heaven was heavily criticised by opposition fans for winning the penalty, which Fernandes dispatched from 12 yards, but Hackett has no problem with the player’s fall.
Areola, who shared the starting spot with Lukasz Fabianski last season, did not concede a single penalty in the Premier League, while his Polish counterpart saw two decisions go against him in 14 games.
Despite this, the Frenchman is often seen as a hot-head in between the sticks, making rash decisions and making errors, with only five clubs conceding more goals than the Hammers last season.
In fact, Football Insider understands that West Ham will push against financial regulations as Potter attempts to rebuild the squad this summer and pull his side up the Premier League table.
Alphonse Areola at fault in West Ham defeat
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said: “The referee is in a terrific position, so he’s got a clear view of what’s happened. What the goalkeeper has done is make a careless challenge, which is penalised with a penalty.
“There’s no question. When we look at incidents inside the penalty area, players who stay on their feet while being fouled aren’t awarded penalty kicks. That’s never going to change.
“When a player feels a touch, they’re going to go down. That’s the dilemma that referees face. VAR has been brought in to re-examine incidents such as this. It plays a massive part.
“Is it a foul or an act of simulation? What’s happened here, I don’t think the player’s foul has sold the decision, it’s the actions of the goalkeeper, who’s piled onto his back leg. For me, it’s a penalty kick. Correct decision.”