Keith Hackett Exclusive: Officials failed on Chelsea vs Morecambe controversy
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Keith Hackett has said that Andrew Kitchen and the officials did not “do their job right” by not having Chelsea retake their saved penalty against Morecambe.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Morecambe’s goalkeeper, Harry Burgoyne, was clearly off his line when the spot-kick was taken.
The decision came at a pivotal moment in the game, with the tie finely balanced at 0-0.
There was also question marks raised at the decision to award the penalty in the first place, with midfielder Yann Songo’o appearing to appeal that the ball had crossed the touchline before it struck his raised arm from a Joao Felix cross from the byline.
Chelsea penalty should have been taken again after goalkeeper ‘offence’
The home side seemed to have an easy chance to take the lead against their League Two opposition, as Felix whipped in a cross from the by-line that was then blocked by the arms of Singo’o in the first half.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the decision to give the penalty, Hackett said: “Well, holding his arms in the air and the ball striking is an easy call and a penalty kick. Even if he was appealing the ball was out, PK correct decision.“
When asked about Kitchen’s decision to not have Nkunku’s saved penalty retaken, Hackett said: “It is evident that the goalkeeper is off his line and that is an offence.
“The match officials, if they were doing the job right, would and should have detected the goalkeeper premature movement.
“[Quoting the Law] If the ball is prevented from entering the goal by the goalkeeper, the kick is retaken. If the goalkeeper's offence results in the kick being retaken, the goalkeeper is warned for the first offence in the game and cautioned for any subsequent offence(s) in the game.”
Despite the decision, Chelsea comfortably finished as 5-0 winners with Nkunku managing to get on the score-sheet in the second half, along with two goals each for Felix and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Chelsea will be looking to make the most of the cup competitions this season after sources exclusively told Football Insider that Chelsea were waiting to find out news on a big points deduction.
In other news, there is an Kobbie Mainoo’s potential move to Chelsea.
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The post Keith Hackett Exclusive: Officials failed on Chelsea vs Morecambe controversy appeared first on Football Insider.
