Keith Hackett: Romain Saiss deserved red card in 1-1 draw v Leeds United
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…
Keith Hackett has insisted that Wolves defender Romain Saiss should have seen red in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Saturday.
The Moroccan went flying into a challenge on Raphinha, catching his ankle which saw the Brazilian be forced off and straight down the tunnel.
Officials gave Saiss a yellow card for a handball in the challenge, and Hackett can’t believe VAR didn’t intervene to look at the incident which he believed was a straight red.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Hackett said, “I’m satisfied that was a red card offence. It was serious foul play.
“I have to say, where was VAR? Because from the screen, he’s got a better view than the referee, the VAR can hold his gaze and watch what is going off outside of the vision of the referee.
“This was a red card, it’s disappointing that it was missed by both referee, VAR and what it seems, the assistant referee may have pulled it in, but he didn’t and he should have gone – he’s a lucky boy.
“I think they missed it completely, if they didn’t, it’s a poor piece of officiating.”
Shocking.
We simply can’t believe this, especially after everything that has happened already this season with VAR against us.
The perfect example for this was Pascal Struijk’s red card against Liverpool, with VAR and the officials calling it serious foul play despite him winning the ball.
What is the difference between that and Saiss’ foul? The only one we can think of is that Raphinha didn’t break his ankle – is that what it takes for officials to make up their minds?
Raphinha himself took to social media after the game and shared that he thought the best officials were in the Premier League, insinuating that isn’t the case.
In other Leeds United news, This one player has been exiled from a matchday squad ahead of a potential move to Elland Road