Tottenham v Newcastle United: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to controversy
Andy Madeley and VAR were correct to allow Newcastle’s opening goal in their win against Tottenham on Saturday, Keith Hackett says.
Ange Postecoglou had his back against the wall after naming his starting side, dropping Son Heung-min among others in the 2-1 defeat on 4 January.
After Dominic Solanke opened the scoring, Anthony Gordon equalised immediately but after an apparent handball by Joelinton in the build-up.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the ex-PGMOL chief shared why the offence may not have been given at the time, with it accidental.
“I do believe that the ball strikes the hand and because of distance and movement the player did not move his hand to the ball and his actions are not deliberate,” Hackett said.
“No offence for me.
Tottenham v Newcastle United controversy
“If it had been given because of the subjectivity it would not have been overturned, so not enough to give handball for me.”
Postecoglou will be raging, as the last thing he needs right now is controversial decisions going against him with everything else that is going wrong.
Handball is handball, whether by your side or accidental and that is the problem – nobody knows what the rule is or when it should be applied.
Spurs were much better on Saturday, and hopefully, things can only start looking up.
In other Tottenham news, Mike Dean has also reacted to a controversial moment against Newcastle United.
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