Keith Hackett hails assistant who saved referee from 'awkward' Blackburn vs Cardiff mess
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Blackburn Rovers were rightly denied a late penalty in their defeat to Cardiff City that was originally awarded to them, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief an ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Adam Herczeg was bailed out of an “awkward situation” by his assistant to overturn the decision.
The likes of Gary O’Neil and Steven Gerrard were linked with the manager’s job at Blackburn earlier this season.
That came after the departure of John Eustace to Derby County, which saw him leave a play-off battle in the Championship, for a relegation dogfight in the same division.
In the end it was Valerien Ismael who got the job, but after four games in charge, he is still waiting for his win since taking over.
His cause was not helped on Saturday (15 March), when Blackburn were denied the chance to snatch a late equaliser in that clash with the Bluebirds.
Blackburn Rovers denied by late penalty drama
After the game had been locked at 1-1 at half time, substitute Yakou Meite had headed Cardiff in front with 17 minutes of normal time remaining.
With Blackburn then left searching for another equaliser, it looked as though they would get a chance to get one deep into stoppage time.
As striker Makhtar Gueye jumped to win a cross at the back post, he went to ground after being sandwiched between Cardiff duo Callum O’Dowda and Joel Bagan.
Initially, referee Adam Herczeg pointed to the spot to award the hosts a penalty, but after protests from the opposition and an apparent discussion with his assistant, that decision was overturned.
Instead, a free kick was awarded to Cardiff, condemning Blackburn to their third straight defeat under Ismael.
| Blackburn Rovers games with Valerien Ismael as manager | Result |
| Norwich (H) | Drew 1-1 |
| Derby (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| Stoke (A) | Lost 1-0 |
| Cardiff (H) | Lost 2-1 |
In doing so, it has further damaged Rovers’ hopes of claiming a play-off place, while also boosting their opponent’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the Championship.
Now, Hackett has given his verdict on the incident, suggesting that the right decision was reached in the end.
Keith Hackett hails assistant referee over late drama
After being asked by Football Insider if the call to disallow the penalty was the correct one, and what he made of the intervention from the assistant referee, Hackett said:
“I have to say that I cannot see an offence on the Blackburn player sufficient for the referee to award a penalty kick.
“It's the wrong decision and if the assistant has intervened – good on him because he has got the referee out of an awkward situation and an initial wrong decision.”
Blackburn will again attempt to secure their first win under Ismael after the March international break when they travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth on 29 March.
The post Keith Hackett hails assistant who saved referee from 'awkward' Blackburn vs Cardiff mess appeared first on Football Insider.
