'Frankly...' - Ex-FIFA ref claims Jarred Gillett got major decision wrong in Sunderland draw vs Bournemouth
Sunderland were denied a penalty during their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has claimed that Sunderland should have been awarded an early penalty during their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend.
The Black Cats took a first-half lead courtesy of an Eliezer Mayenda tap-in on the south coast, only to be pegged back by a headed Evanilson equaliser after the interval. But before they opened the scoring at the Vitality Stadium, Regis Le Bris’ men were denied a spot kick during the opening exchanges when Cherries full-back Alex Jimenez bundled Enzo Le Fée over from behind inside the box.
Referee Jarred Gillett initially waved play on, with a subsequent VAR check confirming the on-field decision. An update from the Premier League’s match centre then explained the video official’s reasoning, stating: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Jimenez on Le Fée was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed normal contact.”
But ex-FIFA referee Hackett has strongly disagreed with the call, outlining his belief that Sunderland should have been given the penalty. Speaking to online outlet Football Insider, he said: “Frankly, the attacker has gone to ground too easily, and that is why referee Gillett has waved away appeals. VAR, because of the subjective nature of the decision, has not intervened and supported the referee. Jimenez, in my opinion, has got away with one. This, for me, is a push by him and should have been penalised with a penalty kick.”
What else has been said about controversial penalty decision in Sunderland draw vs Bournemouth?
By no means is Hackett the only pundit to speak out against Saturday’s controversial decision, however. Reacting on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean was unwavering in his assessment, stating: "If that is normal contact, we might as well go home. It's just a penalty. It is not normal contact. It's a penalty all day."
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Speaking on TNT Sports, pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole also said Sunderland had been unfortunate, arguing that the referee gave the Black Cats a foul for a very similar incident closer to the halfway line just minutes later.
Crouch said: “I think it was a shout - he leans into him, he [Le Fée] is unlucky. There was an incident just after that in the middle of the pitch where he gave a foul. Both of the incidents look very similar to me, he leans with his leg and his shoulder and doesn’t get the ball.” Cole continued: “Similar [incident moments later], that gets given. You just want consistency from referees - it's a terrible decision.”
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