Liverpool fury justified after Stuart Atwell controversy v Tottenham – Hackett
Stuart Atwell made a “very poor decision” not to send off Tottenham match-winner Lucas Bergvall in their 1-0 EFL Cup semi-final win over Liverpool, ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has said.
Teenage gem Bergvall scored an 86th-minute winner for Spurs in the first leg of their last-four tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (8 January).
However, the 18-year-old was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he crudely chopped down Kostas Tsimikas just a few minutes earlier when already on a yellow card (Sky Sports).
Former PGMOL chief Hackett called out referee Atwell’s record throughout his career and said it was an obvious caution for the young Swede.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Hackett said: “The big talking point in the game is the scorer of the Tottenham Hotspur goal Bergvall, who frankly should have received a second yellow card followed by red for a clear reckless challenge.
“He should not have been on the pitch a very poor decision by Stuart Attwell who has a record of controversial decisions throughout his career.
“Another demonstration of inconsistent and poor officiating. Liverpool have every right to be unhappy.”
Lucas Bergvall a lucky boy as Tottenham beat Liverpool
Even Spurs fans with the most rose-tinted of Tottenham glasses must surely admit that Bergvall got away with one on this occasion.
Already walking a tightrope due to an earlier cautious, Bergvall clearly wiped out his opponent and should have been handed his marching orders.
The fact the went onto score the winner moments later only added to the controversy, not that Spurs fans will mind one bit if ultimately they end up with a trip to Wembley to contest the final.
But it is a stark reminder that the consistency of refereeing in this country is increasingly poor and you do worry about where standards are right now.
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