Hackett: Kavanagh faces review over Wesley Fofana incidents in Arsenal v Chelsea

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Chris Kavanagh needs “operational advice” after his poor refereeing performance in Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal, says Keith Hackett.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee needs “someone in power” to review his performance over a series of incidents involving Wesley Fofana.

Arsenal came away victorious in a tight London derby against rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (16 March).

Mikel Merino, once again playing as a makeshift striker, scored the game’s only goal in the 20th minute, following a corner from captain Martin Odegaard.

Chelsea fans were particularly critical of Jadon Sancho, as they struggled to create chances without their talismanic midfielder, Cole Palmer.

The result sees Arsenal close the gap to Liverpool to 12 points, whilst Chelsea remain fourth, only three points ahead of ninth place Aston Villa, as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.

Chris Kavanagh gets it wrong on Wesley Fofana challenges

The first incident that caught the eye was a challenge in the 29th minute.

Fofana flung himself into a challenge on Belgian winger Leandro Trossard, missing the ball, and catching the Arsenal winger with his studs.

Despite the dangerous nature of the tackle, Kavanagh decided against showing the Chelsea defender a card.

Prior to this incident, Fofana had stamped on Rice, after bundling the England international to the ground.

Despite the remonstration’s from the midfielder, and being shown the stud marks on his leg, Kavanagh chose not to punish the French defender, much to the Arsenal’s annoyance.

Fofana would finally receive a yellow card in the 59th minute for arguably the softest offence of the match, as he pulled back an Arsenal attacker, and then rolled the ball away to delay the restart.

Keith Hackett wants action after Arsenal vs Chelsea

Having watched back the incidents, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, gave a damning verdict on Kavanagh’s performance in the London derby.

The ex-FIFA referee was critical of the decision to allow Fofana to repeatedly get away with dangerous challenges, and was concerned about the standard of officiating on show, telling Football Insider exclusively:

“Reviewing those challenges by Fofana yesterday in the game versus Arsenal, you have to say, how did he stay on the field of play?

“When you look at that first challenge, it’s clearly reckless and demanded a yellow card, it received nothing.

“The second incident, is when an Arsenal player [Rice] is playing the ball forward, Fofana comes in late, and his foot is planted on the lower leg of the Arsenal player.

“That, for me, is totally unacceptable, and an act of serious foul play, which should have received a direct red card.

“Then on the third challenge, it’s a simple pull, it’s unsporting behaviour and at last, referee Kavanagh decided to intervene on a soft yellow.

“Correct in law, but those earlier two challenges that went unpunished by him is a worry, because this is not the standard of officiating that you expect at the highest level.

“I hope that somebody in power reviews his performance, and that he as a referee, receives some operational advice.”

Following the loss, Chelsea will now face Tottenham at home on Thursday 3 April, as they continue their battle for Champions League qualification.

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