Keith Hackett shares verdict on Craig Dawson goal for West Ham United v Leicester
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 has insisted that it was the right decision to allow Craig Dawson’s equaliser in the West Ham United draw against Leicester.
The ex-FIFA listed official shared that the new rule has given clarity to the rule after major complications last season.
The ball struck Dawson on the top of his arm above the sleeve-line as he delivered the last-gasp equaliser at the King Power Stadium.
“I think it was [the right decision],” he exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“What we have to understand is that the ball, the major part of it, hit the part of the arm that is above the underside of the armpit, so this is obviously checked by VAR.
“Above the underside of the armpit is considered to some degree, shoulder. I was happy with that incident, I’m saying it’s a goal and I’m not ruling it out.
“I think it’s given clarity to everyone, there is still that difficulty in terms of below when leaning into the ball, but we’re still open to interpretation.”
Clarity?
It appears that a lot more pundits and fans alike need a refresher course.
We’re fed up with listening to those saying it should have been disallowed because it was handball, despite the rules being changed.
Just one look at the new rules would stop all of these discussions, and let everyone know that it was the right decision to allow the goal to stand.
There were no complaints from our end, though, and it was a vital goal in our push to finish in those top four places.
In other West Ham United news, David Sullivan is set to earn the Irons “tens of millions” in new 2022 windfall