By Keith Hackett

20th May, 2023 | 8:00am

Ex-Fifa official hits out over Arsenal controversy as 'embarrassing' Jakub Kiwior claim issued

Keith Hackett has insisted referee Andy Madley was right to wave away appeals from Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior in the build-up to Brighton’s first goal on Sunday (14 May).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed officials are having to fight to determine who is trying to win a “cheap free-kick”.

As seen in footage posted to Twitter by Sky Sports (14 May), Brighton’s Evan Ferguson looked to make contact with Kiwior in the immediate build-up to Julio Enciso’s opening goal early in the first half.

Kiwior stayed down as the goal went in, but his appeals for a foul were waved away by Andy Madley – whose decision was backed up by VAR official Peter Bankes.

Sky pundit and former defender Jamie Carragher took to Twitter (14 May) to label the Arsenal defender “embarrassing” – insisting he should “get up and defend like your life depends on it”.

The Gunners went on to lose 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium – meaning Man City can win the Premier League title if they defeat Chelsea on Sunday (21 May).

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “These kinds of fouls have been given all season.

“The referees are now fighting for consistency to determine who is trying to win a cheap free-kick. I think the referee judged this one right.

“I think he was right to wave the appeals away.

“But on the game as a whole, I think this was Andy Madley’s worst performance of the season.”

In other news, Arsenal swoop for Premier League star after talks collapse.