Tom Lawrence: Ex-Premier League referee issues Derby County penalty claim as controversial footage analysed
Derby County should not have been awarded a penalty kick during their 1-1 draw with Coventry City on Saturday (19 March), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Darren Bond was guessing and should have moved to his left to get a better viewing angle on Ben Sheaf’s challenge on Tom Lawrence.
The Derby skipper, 28, went down from a slight touch from Sheaf after initial contact with Callum O’Hare.
As quoted by Coventry Live after the game, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins claimed the decision was “harsh”.
Lawrence converted from the spot to earn Derby County side a vital point in their quest to stay up in the Championship against almost impossible odds.
Wayne Rooney’s side are now second from bottom, eight points behind Reading in 17th-place.
Asked for his verdict on the incident, Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I don’t think this is a penalty kick.
“The referee is looking through a crowd of players. All he has to do is move just to his left and he’s got a better viewing angle. He can then see the whole incident and not part of it.
“He’s looking through a crowd of players and for me, he’s guessed. He’s part guessing it.
“His viewing angle is letting him down, he’s only seen part of the incident.”
Lawrence’s penalty brings his goal tally to 10 for the season from 33 Championship appearances.
The Wales international was made captain by Rooney in the summer and has led his young side valiantly in difficult circumstances.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has saluted a new ‘game-changing’ EFL finance plan.