Keith Hackett has claimed Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne should not have been penalised for handball at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official said the 29-year-old’s arms were outstretched for balance and were not in an unnatural position.
As shown on Sky Sports (20 August), Palace were awarded a penalty in the second half after Marc Guehi headed onto Digne’s arm inside the 18-yard box.
Referee Andy Madley did not initially point to the spot but on the advice of VAR he changed his original decision.
Wilfried Zaha’s penalty was saved by Emiliano Martinez but the Palace forward scored the rebound.
The Eagles ran out 3-1 winners at Selhurst Park.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the incident, Hackett said: “When I looked at it, I looked at the position of the player.
“Where else can he put his arm? The ball struck it but the law states that it needs to be deliberate.
“I don’t think it is deliberate. I don’t think he can avoid it.
“His arm is certainly outstretched but it is for balance. This is when it become a subjective decision.
“On this occasion, I do not think the referee got it right. That was not a penalty kick.
“Referees have to be more aware of why his arm is outstretched. I don’t think that was a penalty kick. The referee got it wrong.”
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By: Keith Hackett
Title: Ex-PL ref: Aston Villa victims of major injustice as Digne controversy analysed
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/ex-premier-league-referee-aston-villa-victims-of-major-injustice-as-lucas-digne-controversy-analysed/
Published Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2022 09:14:27 +0000