{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Keith Hackett: PGMOL have to intervene after Leeds United and Burnley controversy
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett to the MOT Leeds News team. Each week, Hackett will discuss the big moments from the latest Leeds United games and deliver his verdict on whether his successors got their calls right or wrong…
Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett has weighed in on the Ashley Barnes controversy between Burnley and Leeds United.
Barnes, 31, made a high, late challenge on Stuart Dallas as the Leeds star hooked the ball clear from his own penalty box during the 1-1 draw between the Premier League sides at Turf Moor on August 29.
Referee Michael Oliver brandished a yellow card, but there has been much conjecture in the following days as to whether a harsher punishment deserved to be meted out.
Phil Hay, Leeds writer for The Athletic, delivered his verdict of the incident on The Phil Hay Show [03/09/21] and made a prediction as to what will happen in the future.
“I think we’re heading for a big fight over this,” he said.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
“I made the assumption that it would dissuade people from faking it or feigning it. I didn’t think it would be a green light for players to fire into each other in the way they were at Burnley.
“That was a bad one [Barnes on Dallas] and I don’t think you can have a season where those challenges are going on indefinitely because someone will get injured and there will eventually be a massive argument over this.”
Former FIFA-listed official Hackett is in agreement that there could be trouble brewing.
“All 20 clubs in the Premier League wanted the style of refereeing they saw in Europe,” Hackett told MOT Leeds News.
“There is a danger some players and managers will take advantage of a relaxed approach and there are some managers who will not like it. But this is what you wanted, this is what you’ve got.
“There is that potential of a crash. The PGMOL have got to stage meetings with the managers in the coming weeks and have a debate and discussion. Is there an increase of players on the injury list because of a more liberal application of advantage?
“Therefore, the PGMOL have also got to question what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
“For me, Ashley Barnes should have received a red card, no question. The referee can apply the law with a lighter touch but there are specific laws where it is a red card offence and you cannot apply a lighter touch, that’s where the PGMOL has to come in.”
In other Leeds United news, Jamie O’Hara & Laura Woods clash over this Whites star live on talkSPORT.