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Sepp van den Berg: Liverpool loanee 'lucky boy' as controversial Nottingham Forest footage analysed by ex-Premier League referee
Nottingham Forest should have had a penalty in their 0-0 draw with Preston North End on Tuesday (22 February), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Sepp van den Berg’s challenge on Keinan Davis in the first half should have been punished with a spot-kick.
Davis had prodded the ball past the on loan Liverpool man who stuck a leg out which clipped the attacker and brought him down.
Referee Geoff Eltringham waved away Forest’s appeals and Steve Cooper was unimpressed with the decision.
As quoted by Nottinghamshire Live after the game, Cooper claimed the decision “flustered” his side who were dominated by a Preston side who lacked a clinical edge in front of goal.
“Ooh, he’s lucky,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think he’s fortunate that VAR is not in operation. The position of the referee is superb.
“Geoff Eltringham is a very good referee, I rate him as a referee and he’s been unlucky not to get into the Premier League.
“But he’s missed one and we would see it more clearly with VAR. He’s not got full clarity on this, he’s not got an ideal view.
“The defender has stuck his leg out and has clipped him. It’s a penalty.
“It’s on the line of the box so it’s a penalty kick.”
Forest are now five points off the play-off positions in 10th while North End are two points and three places below them.
Cooper’s side are next in action against Bristol City tomorrow (26 February).
In other news, Davis’ ex-teammate has dropped an ‘exciting’ Nottingham Forest claim as a permanent move is touted.