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Ex-Premier League referee issues 'corrupt' claim after Newcastle United reveal
Newcastle United fans should not call Premier League referees “corrupt” despite the injustice in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday (3 September).
That is the view of former Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after a Newcastle fan group called for the club to make an official complaint.
The Magpies are aggrieved that Tyrick Mitchell’s own goal was disallowed for a foul by Joe Willock on Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
On replays, it appeared Willock was pushed by Mitchell but the goal was still chalked off after a VAR intervention.
Newcastle World reported after the game that Talk of Tyneside had called on the club to lodge a complaint as the standard of officiating was bringing the Premier League into disrepute.
“The standard of officiating is not to the standard you would expect from a group of professional referees,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
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“You might get the odd blip but you don’t get a Saturday like we’ve just had.
“The worry is that, not only have you got fans saying that which undermines the referees, you’ve also got fans saying they’re corrupt. I’ve raised this before, they are not corrupt, they are human, they do make mistakes.
“The VAR system is meant to improve that. It will not negate all the errors but on the big decisions, we should get a better outcome.
“Newcastle and any club in the Premier League deserve a better outcome than they are getting at the moment.
“If you get a decision that is so poor and you get a goal ruled out at a critical time when we can see instantly on the replay this goal should be allowed, don’t search for reasons because the reasons are the communication links between the VAR operators and referees and the leadership is flawed.
“Ultimately, it needs strong leadership, an in-depth review, better communication between the PGMOL and managers and fans.
“Do what MLS and do a weekly review where you tell fans why they have made decisions.
“At this moment, if they continue at this level, it’s damaging the league.”
In other news, a medical insider has claimed Callum Wilson may now be out until October after a Newcastle United update.