‘Read the body language, it’s clear’ – Ex-refs chief re-analyses controversial Newcastle footage
Bruno Guimaraes should be commended following an incident which could have seen Newcastle United awarded a penalty against Brighton.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that VAR could have intervened had the Brazilian not stayed on his feet on Saturday, 18 October.
It has been a very slow start to the campaign for Eddie Howe and Newcastle, which was only furthered by a 2-1 defeat to the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium despite a 76th-minute equaliser.
Nick Woltemade has been in fine form since his £69million arrival, but not even his audacious flick was enough to secure a point for the Magpies. Things could have been very different, though.
Newcastle United penalty call waved away vs Brighton
In the 74th minute, the Magpies were adamant that Craig Pawson should have pointed towards the penalty spot after the ball appeared to strike Mats Wieffer’s hand in the area.
However, moments before, just before the ball was sent into the six-yard box by Guimaraes, the talented midfielder was taken out by Ferdi Kadioglu before jumping straight back to his feet.
The incident was never checked by VAR, so Pawson was never able to take another look. However, Hackett believes the correct decision was reached initially after re-analysing the footage.
Craig Pawson right to dismiss Newcastle pleas
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the unseen moment, the former referee said: “I think the referee has judged this one correctly. Looking at the incident, I don’t think there’s enough.
“What’s interesting, had it been even tighter, the actions of the player getting up and playing are refreshing. Read the body language; it is clearly not a foul on the player.
“He’s not staying down and instead gets up and plays on. That is the reading that the referee will have. If you don’t stay down, you don’t usually get the foul.
“In this situation, with the honest actions of the players, he should be praised for what he did. That has had an influence on the decision. In the VAR room, I’d be looking those up.“