Ex-Fifa official lambasts PGMOL after landmark Wolves development - 'Should be fine and suspension'
Keith Hackett has heaped praise on referee Bobby Madley after he returned to the Premier League in Wolves' 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday (29 October).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Madley did not deserve to be sacked four years ago and must now be re-appointed as a top-flight official.
The 37-year-old was sacked in 2018 after sending a video in which he mocked a disabled person to a friend.
He moved to Norway after the incident but returned to English football in February 2020 and had taken charge of 10 Championship games this term before returning to the Premier League.
"I think it's brilliant," Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
"He was a very solid Premier League referee and I thought he was harshly punished for something he did on social media. To lose his job was totally out of context.
"For me, it should have been a fine and perhaps a suspension. I think the PGMOL handled the case very harshly and very poorly.
"It must have affected him because he went and lived and refereed a bit in Norway.
"All credit to him because he's gone through the system, and proved his credentials in the EFL and the Championship.
"Give him the role now. Re-appoint him. He's not been reappointed, he's just been given a game. Get him on board, he's a good solid referee.
"I think that this guy is a very good referee, a good decision-maker with courage. Everything you want in a referee.
"Get him back, give him a contract and put everything else to bed.
"We're coming to the end of Mike Riley's regime with Howard Webb taking over in December, I hope this is one of Webb's first decisions.
"It's great to have two brothers refereeing in the Premier League for the first time too."