Hoffenheim v Tottenham: ‘VAR makes crucial error’ after controversy
Tottenham were lucky to avoid conceding a penalty against Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday, Keith Hackett has said.
The Lilywhites picked up a much-needed 3-2 win in Germany on 23 January, but Rodrigo Bentancur appeared to handle the ball before Son Heung-min went on to score the second.
VAR looked at the incident but decided against an on-field review, with the home side not pleased.
Hackett believes that the referee should have been given another look at the alleged handball, and would have ruled the goal out if he did.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the ex-FIFA referee and PGMOL chief admitted that an error may have been made before the second goal.
“Hoffenheim have a case, I believe the Spurs player used his left hand/arm to propel the ball forward,” Hackett said.
“I really do think that the VAR should have requested the referee to go to the monitor to review.
VAR error at Tottenham win in Germany
“The referee needed to have a second look at this incident and had he done that he would in my opinion have ruled the goal out.”
This was a massive win for Ange Postecoglou and his future in North London, despite the nervy ending.
With automatic progression to the final 16 in his hands for the Europa League alongside a semi-final lead over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, things could start looking up.
Daniel Levy is sticking by the Australian despite one win in 10 Premier League fixtures, and luck like this is exactly what he needed tonight.
In other Tottenham news, Jamie O’Hara discusses Postecoglou’s job security ahead of the trip to Hoffenheim.
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