Exclusive: Keith Hackett shares verdict on West Ham flashpoint v Manchester United
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive West Ham columnist, each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Keith Hackett has claimed that grappling has incorrectly become acceptable in football after Manchester United’s 1-0 win against West Ham.
Craig Dawson scored the unfortunate own-goal at Old Trafford, but Harry Maguire appeared to be all over the defender; something that wasn’t picked up by VAR.
Hackett claimed that Martin Atkinson not seeing the incident is disappointing, especially with Maguire a regular offender at set-pieces.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Hackett said, “What disappointments me about referees at the moment, is that this isn’t the first time that Maguire has used his arms and hands to impede a player.
“I think, this comes under grappling and therefore when a player holds and prevents an opponent pre-movement, then for me, that’s an offence and they should be penalised.
“Illegal holding and pulling has become acceptable at set-pieces, and the only weapon that the referee uses is to go in and talk to them, come away and then do nothing.
“I would remind referees that it’s football and not rugby.”
Atkinson was praised by David Moyes after the defeat, but he did point out that he missed numerous decisions at Old Trafford.
These are experiences officials that are continuing to disappoint, and Hackett has made his opinions clear that these incidents have to be pulled up.
Everyone knows that Maguire has his hands all over defenders from every single set-piece, but yet he is allowed to do whatever he wants.
This isn’t why the Hammers eventually lost at Old Trafford, but it could have been a decent point on the road should this incident have been pulled up.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie blown away by reported Craig Dawson deal