Mike Southey

Mon 16 May 2022 16:10, UK

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 VAR should have invited a second look at another potential Manchester City penalty against West Ham United on Sunday [15 May].

The ex-FIFA official admitted that VAR is used incorrectly in the Premier League as looking at the monitor means the referee will automatically change their decision.

Kurt Zouma was alleged to have brought down Gabriel Jesus in the 2-2 draw, but the officials nor VAR decided to penalise him for the coming together.

“I think is a dilemma for the referee,” he exclusively told West Ham Zone.

“I think this is one for VAR, the process of VAR in this country is wrong. We know that when they go to the monitor, they go with VAR. The game has stopped momentarily so why not let the referee have a second look?

“It’s pretty clear that it could have been a penalty kick, so have a look – it’s left in the air.”

VAR and the officials had a look and deemed it to be fine, so we’re definitely going with that.

Hackett has a point that the technology needs to be used better and that means giving the man in the middle more freedom to make up his own mind after looking at an incident again.

West Ham have been on the end of some controversial decisions already this season, and we don’t think it would have gone down too well if this also would have gone against them.

This was an incredible end-to-end battle, and we are grateful that it wasn’t decided by another penalty, not all contact automatically equates to a foul.

In other West Ham United news, Yaya Toure has said he would be open to helping this Irons star improve to the next level

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