Newcastle United news: Ex-Fifa official issues claim as controversial Bruno Guimaraes footage emerges
Keith Hackett has claimed it was “refreshing” to see Jarred Gillett allow play to continue beyond added time to allow Bruno Guimaraes to score the winner for Newcastle United in their 2-1 victory over Leicester City yesterday (17 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee also admitted Guimaraes’ finish was fantastic too.
The fourth official had indicated there would only be four minutes of added time at St. James’ Park with the sides level at 1-1.
Guimaraes, 24, finished off a Newcastle United counter-attack in the 95th minute with a wonderful diving header.
As quoted by Leicestershire Live after the game, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers did not blame the referee for the defeat.
Instead, he pointed the finger at Daniel Amartey for playing a long ball while trying to protect a point.
Matt Targett won the ball back from that and launched the counter-attack that led to Guimaraes’ winner.
“It doesn’t matter that there was only four minutes added on,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“There was delays within that added time period which he extended.
“I talk as much as anybody about the timing of games but the law supports the referee because he’s the sole time-keeper.
“It was refreshing that Jarred Gillett added the time on at the end instead of blowing up. What a goal too.”
Gillett is a relatively new referee to the Premier League as Sunday’s game was just his seventh in the English top flight.
The 35-year-old was a Fifa-listed official for six years in his native Australia before he came to England in 2013.
In other news, Newcastle United are in hotel talks over signing a Rangers sensation.