Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 6 April 2026 11:15, UK

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Max Kilman should have been punished for his challenge on Leeds United‘s Anton Stach, one that should be reviewed by PGMOL officials.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the country’s referees must agree that similar tackles should end in a penalty being awarded.

Just 34 minutes into proceedings at the London Stadium on Sunday, 5 April, Craig Pawson had his first big decision, as Leeds’ No.18 was scythed down by Kilman, who had just had a shot saved.

Even after a VAR review, no penalty was awarded, despite Stach being forced off with an injury, and Hackett simply cannot understand the decision during Leeds’ eventual win over West Ham in the FA Cup.

PGMOL must clamp down after Anton Stach left injured vs West Ham

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Playing the ball is not an excuse for a foul being committed. The player has come in, come in late enough for the player to get his shot away. 

“That shouldn’t matter. He’s wiped the player out. At the very least, it’s careless. But because there’s excessive force in the challenge, there are elements of recklessness.

“He’s come in at pace, so he can’t stop, and his actions have endangered the safety of his opponent. It’s beyond me that referees aren’t judging that as a foul.

“There’s no malice, so it’s not serious foul play, but if it’s not even seen as reckless, then it has to be careless, and therefore, a penalty. The match officials have got it wrong.

“The debate needs to go further, with PGMOL referees sitting around a table and watching video clips of these types of challenges. They’ve got to do some homework on it. There’s too much inconsistency in the approach for these challenges.” 

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In addition to Stach, both Joe Rodon and Noah Okafor were forced off with injuries during their FA Cup quarter-final victory, which is a huge blow to the Whites’ Premier League survival aspirations.

His potential absence does provide hope for Brenden Aaronson that he will be given more minutes before the end of the season, having been dropped in recent matches.

If not the USA international, then Ao Tanaka could be given a few rare starts further forward, having shown his capabilities in front of goal at the London Stadium this weekend.

And despite a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, Sean Longstaff appears to have lost his way in the second half of the campaign, so he could fill in as Leeds’ attacking midfielder instead.