Newcastle United news: Officials may have a ‘problem’ as controversial Robert Sanchez footage emerges – ex-Premier League referee
The goalline technology in Brighton & Hove Albion’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday (5 March) may have failed if it was called upon, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after spotting Robert Sanchez hanging a towel in his goal.
As seen on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, the Brighton stopper kept a black towel in the goal during both halves of the game.
Goalline technology was not needed during the game as Newcastle ran out Brighton 2-1.
However, Hackett has suggested it could become a problem in upcoming games so it is “one to look out for”.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “The towel is a problem, it should have been picked up.
“It can interfere with the goalline technology so it’s one to look out for in the future.
“No matter what competition, even in a grassroots game, you cannot allow a towel to be tied to the side netting because it can interfere with the vision of referees and assistants when looking to see if the ball has gone in or not. The assistant referee in particular.
“With the wet weather, they have to hang it up somewhere so they use the goal nets like a washing line. The goal nets are not there to be used for washing!”
Newcastle’s win at St. James Park extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games.
They are now up to 14th in the Premier League table.
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