Keith Hackett Exclusive: PGMOL 'fight' on over Arsenal and Chelsea controversies
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PGMOL have a fight on their hands over decision making after a pair of controversial differing calls involving Arsenal and Chelsea, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was little difference in terms of contact between a penalty given to Brighton against the Gunners, and one that Enzo Maresca’s side were denied at Crystal Palace on Saturday (4 January).
Both sides will have been left disappointed with those decisions for various reasons, with both of those games ending in 1-1 draws.
Now, Hackett has suggested that Chelsea are right to feel aggrieved about the decision which went against them in their draw with the Eagles, which highlights the inconsistencies over penalty calls that remain in the Premier League.
Chelsea can feel hard done by after Brighton penalty award vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners dropped points in the title race after being held to a 1-1 draw at AMEX, with a Joao Pedro strike cancelling out Ethan Nwaneri’s first-half opener.
That spot kick had been awarded after Arsenal centre-back William Saliba had clashed head with Pedro in the area, as both attempted to win the ball in the air.
Earlier in the day, Chelsea had been denied a chance to double their lead from the spot against Crystal Palace, after Tyrick Mitchell’s sliding challenge brought down Pedro Neto just inside the area.
It would prove costly for the Blues, with Jean-Philippe Mateta later going on to equalise for the Eagles.
A number of the clubs fans then felt even more hard done by that their claim for a spot kick was not given, after the unusual nature of the one awarded to Brighton against Arsenal.
Hackett has now admitted he does have sympathy with those Chelsea followers due to the lack of consistency around decisions, despite similar levels of contact.
When asked by Football Insider if those supporters could feel hard done by when comparing the penalty they were denied to the one Brighton did get given, the former referee said:
“They’re almost identical aren’t they and this is football, this where the fight comes for PGMOL in terms of its leadership and direction in order to get consistency of decision making on the field of play, and to get referees applying the law in a consistent manner.
“I think when we look at that earlier one and we look at this one, they’re much the same. So you’re either going to give penalty kicks or nothing.
“For me I think that’s a careless challenge where they should give a penalty kick (to Chelsea) and of course the scenario is because it’s just inside and on the line, the line forms part of the penalty.
“So I think they (Chelsea) have every justification to feel aggrieved. There’s this view that he’s got the ball first, but it is intent and we can’t talk about intention in the law, he knew exactly what he was doing, he’s taking the ball and the player.”
That draw with Crystal Palace means the Stamford Bridge club are now winless in their last four games, a run that has seen them slip to fourth in the table, ten points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
Arne Slot’s side also have a game in hand on Arsenal, who currently trail them by ten points in the standings.
In other news, Nicolas Jackson has sent a message to Chelsea fans after their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
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The post Keith Hackett Exclusive: PGMOL 'fight' on over Arsenal and Chelsea controversies appeared first on Football Insider.
