PGMOL expert: Paul Tierney ‘should call it a day’ as Preston vs Blackburn controversies re-analysed
Howard Webb must take Paul Tierney off refereeing duties after the Championship clash between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that his mistakes were “unacceptable” at Deepdale on Friday, 21 November.
Hackett slammed Tierney for not sending off Ben Whiteman in added time, as the midfielder slid into a dangerous challenge on Moussa Baradji, which could have broken his leg.
The Preston man was clearly frustrated after Andri Gudjohnsen netted the eventual winner in the 62nd minute, lunging into the foul near the halfway line as the Rovers looked to escape down the flank.
Paul Tierney misses major controversies in Preston vs Blackburn
Things might have gotten even worse, despite Tottenham loanee Alfie Devine scoring an equaliser in the first half, with Makhtar Gueye threatening to put the nail in the coffin for Paul Heckingbottom‘s side.
The Senegalese striker broke free in the closing stages before hitting the turf inside the penalty area, with replays showing Andrew Hughes making clear contact with the face.
Hackett believes that both incidents were wrongly punished by Tierney, and without VAR in the Championship, neither was able to be rectified with an off-field review.
Despite this, Valerien Ismael’s side claimed all three points at Deepdale, moving further clear of the relegation zone, but the referee’s standing in the game remains a major talking point.
Howard Webb sent a clear message about Paul Tierney
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider, with a major message for Webb, saying: “Premier League referee, Paul Tierney, really should call it a day after his performance in this game at Deepdale.
“A serious foul play challenge by Ben Whiteman should have resulted in a red card. Then, a penalty kick was not awarded when there was a clear hand in the face of the attacker.
“These big decisions are ones that referees should be getting right. Tierney has had his time, and the only role he should now have is in the VAR room at Stockley Park.
“That is, if he can deliver better decision-making than we witnessed in this game. That serious foul play challenge missed by him, and no red card, frankly, is unacceptable.”