By Keith Hackett

18th May, 2023 | 10:00am

Ex-Premier League referee: Joachim Andersen should get retrospective ban after Crystal Palace 'punch' controversy

Keith Hackett has insisted referee Michael Salisbury was “badly let down by VAR” after Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen escaped punishment for a “punch” on Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma on Saturday (14 May).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the 26-year-old Dane should land “retrospective” punishment.

As seen in footage from the Sky Sports website (15 May), Andersen appeared to strike Lerma with a closed fist as both sides were jostling for position ahead of a Bournemouth corner.

Lerma went to ground but no action was taken by on-field referee Michael Salisbury – and VAR official Andy Madley found no clear and obvious error with the original decision.

Speaking post-match and quoted by the Bournemouth Echo (13 May), Cherries boss Gary O’Neil confirmed his midfielder suffered a broken nose – and insisted he will speak to PGMOL boss Howard Webb about the incident.

According to the London Evening Standard (15 May), the FA will not take retrospective action against Andersen as they feel the incident was reviewed sufficiently by the VAR.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “First of all, it’s incompetence from the VAR.

“In fairness to the referee, I don’t think he had a prayer of seeing it.

“VAR can look at it two or three times. I only needed to see it once to know it was a right-hand punch.

“It doesn’t need to be a hook. It’s a punch, and it’s had a due effect on Lerma.

“I think the referee was badly let down by the VAR.

“In this instance, the referee hasn’t made a judgement. One assumes he hasn’t seen it. I think there should be every opportunity to take retrospective action.

“You can’t allow a player to punch an opponent like that.”

In other news, Crystal Palace told £20m will seal Ligue 1 goal machine deal.