Former FIFA official furious with ‘incompetence’ amid controversy in Leeds United loss v Newcastle
Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett cannot believe how Newcastle United were not awarded a penalty against Leeds United on Saturday.
Newcastle won 1-0 at Elland Road but before the deadlock was broken, Allan Saint-Maximin was brought down by Robin Koch in the penalty area.
Despite there being contact, referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Kevin Friend opted against awarding a penalty, leading to Hackett hitting out at the officials on Twitter.
“This is a foul, it’s inside the penalty area. Only one course of action – award a penalty kick,” said Hackett via his personal Twitter account on Sunday morning.
It’s nailed on. Incompetent officiating.”
After his tweet, a Newcastle fan said that there’s a conspiracy against the Magpies among referees.
Ex-FIFA official Hackett rubbished that notion, saying: “No conspiracy just bad officiating due to incompetence.”
Definite penalty
We have to hold our hands up and admit that we got away with one there because Koch definitely fouled Saint-Maximin.
If that was the other way around, our fans would be up in arms about the incident as it was a clear foul.
There was contact, it was mistimed and the player went to the ground. Yes, Saint-Maximin added in some theatrics but that’s what a lot of players do these days and referees do fall for it.
But with VAR in operation, there’s no way that should have been ignored.
Ultimately, we lost that game on Saturday because we were woeful in front of goal yet again.
Tyler Roberts needs to stop playing. It’s that simple. We’ve seen the game-changing impact that Joe Gelhardt can have – why is he not Bielsa’s go-to in times like this?
We need a new striker and a new midfielder before the transfer window closes in just over a week but we have low hopes of being able to get either.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay reacted after Victor Orta was caught on camera by a fan amid reported talks for a major signing.