Hackett pointed to an early-game incident involving Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, who appeared to foul Alejandro Garnacho in the box. ..Continue Reading
Despite this, referee John Brooks ruled it a free-kick just outside the area, and video assistant referee Paul Tierney upheld the original decision.
Although United players appealed strongly for a penalty, Brooks dismissed their claims. Hackett, however, believes their protests were justified and that a penalty should have been awarded.
“It was a close call, he told Football Insider, “and that initial contact appears to be just outside the area – the speed of the player moves the incident closer to the line, which is, of course, then deemed inside.
“I’ve had the opportunity of looking closely at the replays shown by beIN Sports. The quality of their technical equipment gives clarity to that early decision in the Manchester derby.
“Referee John Brooks, close to the incident, waved away appeals for a penalty kick. However, looking at the beIN Sports replay, evidence shows that the offence was on the line, and the outcome should have been the award of a penalty kick.
“Technology on these tight decisions is essential, allowing VAR Tierney to make the correct call, rather than the inaccurate intervention and result.”
That verdict from Hackett differed from the one expressed by his ex-colleague Mike Dean.
Dean said in the Sky commentary of the match: “I think it’s a good on-field call by John Brooks; he’s waited a couple of seconds to see if it can be passed to the right wing, but it hasn’t, so he pulls it back.
“For me, it’s just outside so the right call, a good call at this early stage of the game.”
