Ex-FIFA official stunned by FA stance after controversial footage of Michail Antonio in West Ham loss v Tottenham
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive West Ham United columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium...
Keith Hackett is baffled by the FA’s failure to launch retrospective action against West Ham forward Michail Antonio after he was spotted raising an arm to Tottenham defender Eric Dier earlier this month.
In Spurs’ 3-1 win over the Irons in North London on 20 March, Antonio, 32, was caught on camera going in on 28-year-old Dier with his arm raised.
As seen in the clip below, it looks as though Antonio’s elbow connects with the side of Dier’s head.
Even though the incident happened to Dier as he was passing the ball, it was not punished by the referee Anthony Taylor or VAR Paul Tierney.
Afterwards, former FIFA and Premier League referee Hackett told West Ham Zone that he expected the FA to punish Antonio.
However, over a week after the incident occured, the FA have not acted as it seems as though Antonio has avoided punishment.
Hackett cannot believe it.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, the ex-referee said: “I just find it bemusing that nobody at the FA brought that into question.
“That was an assault and the player has got away with it.
“If the referee and VAR have seen that incident, there’s no way they can just say, ‘well we saw that as a coming together’.
“That was a clear act and a clear violent act that should’ve received a red card.“
In other West Ham news, Henry Winter noticed a player turning up for international duty with his kit in a Hammers carrier bag.
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