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Rotherham United news: Ex-Fifa official issues 'really serious' verdict as controversial footage analysed
Keith Hackett has insisted the Rotherham United fan who ran onto the pitch to kick away the ball as Accrington Stanley penalty on Saturday (5 February) is part of a worrying trend.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict about the incident at the end of Rotherham’s 1- win over Accrington.
Stanley had a penalty lined up in the closing stages before a fan ran on and kicked it away before being chased by the would-be spot-kick taker.
When he was ushered off the pitch they missed the penalty and fell to defeat to the League One leaders.
“They were lining up a penalty kick and a spectator ran on to kick the ball away from the penalty mark,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This is a trend that football doesn’t want and the authorities need to take the appropriate action.
“It’s a really serious situation, without over-egging it. It’s a growing trend. We don’t want this in football.
“I know that in most cases there is very competent video technology that can help find these people.
“But what about the spectators around these people? What do they do to stop the camaraderie that went sour?”
Accrington Stanley are now on a winless run of six League One games as they sit in 15th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Rotherham are six points clear at the top of the table but second place Wigan Athletic have three games in hand.
In other news, an ex-Premier League referee has savaged an ‘unacceptable and dangerous’ flashpoint as Rotherham United footage is analysed.