x

Hackett: Officials Need Operational Advice For Failure to Red Card Pedro - Ipswich Town News

Former referees' chief Keith Hackett has slammed the decision not to red card Brighton’s Joao Pedro for his challenge on Christian Walton during last night’s 2-0 defeat to the Seagulls and says believes the officials involved should be spoken to regarding the incident.

Pedro jumped into Walton at pace with the ball already well gone in the 53rd minute of last night’s match, his shoulder making solid contact with the the keeper’s face, leaving the former Albion man needing treatment and perhaps still feeling the effects when Kaoru Mitoma scored the opening goal six minutes later.

Referee Tony Harrington showed only a yellow card, a decision backed up by VAR official Michael Salisbury.

But Hackett, a former Premier League and FIFA official and one-time general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), says they got the decision wholly wrong.

"This is a nailed on red card for serious foul play,” he told Football Insider. "He knows exactly what he is doing. This is a challenge with excessive force that endangers the safety of the goalkeeper.

"Referees should not await the outcome to see if the goalkeeper is injured or not. Totally unacceptable and I would suggest that the referee and VAR require some operational advice.”

https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1879993277463540193

Hackett outlined the law relating to serious foul play: "A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.