Keith Hackett recalls infamous Tony Gale-West Ham incident 30 years later – Exclusive
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 recalled his decision to send off West Ham defender Tony Gale almost 30 years after the famous FA Cup incident in 1991.
It was the first red card handed out for a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, and one that no one expected, even the Nottingham Forest squad.
Hackett has recalled the incident and shared a shock intervention by FIFA in the build-up to the game that influenced his decision.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Hackett said, “The rule for denying a goalscoring opportunity came in.
“They brought the law in, but there wasn’t a certain criteria. We viewed it that season that it was a cynical tackle that had to take place for us to send someone off.
“The Thursday before the semi-final, we were called to a meeting and it was centered around FIFA intervening and said we were interpreting the rule incorrectly, so we were rather shocked that any foul that denies a clear opportunity would be a red card offence.
“That Sunday, I went out knowing that if it was to happen, it would be a red card; no one knew when Gale brought him down, he was heading to goal, so if that foul hadn’t taken place, he would have shot.
“It was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”
Stitched up?
It is interesting to read that Hackett was summoned in front of FIFA ahead of that infamous semi-final against Forest.
Basically, if this clash at Villa would have taken place a week earlier, Gale would have still have been on the pitch and it may not have finished 4-0.
Given that the rules have recently changed again regarding this matter, it appears as though we may never get to a ruling that pleases everyone.
Now, players that are deemed to be going for the ball when denying an opportunity are handed a booking; something that is still bound to enrage one fanbase in any given game.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie adamant Declan Rice will stay with the Irons