Ex-Fifa official calls for law alteration after Toti Gomes controversy at Wolves
Keith Hackett has suggested the handball law be revisited after Nottingham Forest were denied a penalty at Wolves on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Fifa and Premier League official said “the word deliberate needs to be emphasised” in the rules.
As shown on Match of the Day (15 October), Nottingham Forest appealed for a penalty when Neco Williams’ shot cannoned off Toti Gomes’ arm.
Referee Thomas Bramall did not adjudge the incident to be worthy of a penalty and VAR official Lee Mason did not deem a clear and obvious error to have been made.
The call would ultimately be decisive with Wolves going on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Ruben Neves.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the controversial decision, Hackett said: “One thing I will say is that this was a new referee on the list.
“I think he was a breath of fresh air. His movement, management of players and decision making was at a very good standard. He was in a good position to judge the incident.
“These handball offences show that the law is going to promote inconsistency. It is a subjective call.
“Did the player increase the shape of his body? You can say yes. Was it deliberate? I am not sure.
“The word deliberate needs to be emphasised in the handball law.”
In other news, a pundit has told Wolves to U-turn on the potential appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo after journalist’s update.