By Keith Hackett

25th Mar, 2023 | 8:00am

Ex-Fifa official shares emphatic Sarr claim as controversial Tottenham footage re-analysed

Keith Hackett has insisted there was “no way” for VAR to intervene as Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr conceded a last-gasp penalty against Southampton on Saturday (18 March).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee supported Simon Hooper’s decision despite accusing Ainsley Maitland-Niles of going down easily.

As seen in footage posted to YouTube by Sky Sports (18 March), Sarr made kicked Southampton’s Maitland-Niles in the penalty area as he attempted to clear the ball away in stoppage time.

Referee Hooper, who was well-placed to see the incident, pointed to the spot immediately and his decision was not challenged after a VAR review.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse stepped up to convert the penalty to claw back a point after the Saints trailed 3-1 with 13 minutes to play.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte insisted post-match (as per football.london) that “it was not a penalty” but mainly chose to take aim at his “selfish” players following their late collapse.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Hooper was very close by to see what happened.

“What makes it difficult is that players go to ground very easily, and that’s the same in this case.

“There was contact – and if you’re the VAR, you just can’t come in. There’s no way you can intervene.

“It’s not a clear and obvious error. It looked harsh, but we see those given every week.

“Some referees might say that it isn’t a penalty, that they need to see more contact.

“For me, I would support Hooper’s decision – just about.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Tottenham line up manager best able to convince Harry Kane to stay.