Sport nationSports Presenter, Gary Neville looks on during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground on March 17, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
ArsenalArsenal Gossip
Ex-ref claims TV pundits instructed to back officials on Arsenal errors
By Dan Critchlow -Nov 7, 2023
Former referee Keith Hackett has claimed that phone calls were made instructing pundits to quieten down in their criticism of officials, following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports TV Presenter and former Footballer reacts prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports TV Presenter and former Footballer reacts prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Over the weekend, Arsenal were the victim of a couple of poor refereeing decisions.
Bruno Guimaraes got away with hitting Jorginho in the head without so much as a yellow card, before Newcastle’s goal was allowed to stand despite a clear foul on Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up.
Yet much of the post-match analysis has focused on Mikel Arteta’s response to the poor decisions, rather than on the decisions themselves.
Indeed, Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have been particularly outspoken in backing the referees against Arteta’s complaints.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
SALFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Gary Neville, former English footballer, television pundit and co-owner of Salford City during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Salford City and Leeds United at Peninsula Stadium on August 29, 2023 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
SALFORD, ENGLAND: Gary Neville, former English footballer, television pundit and co-owner of Salford City during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Salford City and Leeds United at Peninsula Stadium on August 29, 2023. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Though former referee Keith Hackett didn’t name Neville or Carragher specifically, he claims to have been made aware of phone calls to instruct people to play down criticism of match officials.
“I was aware of the two people receiving a phone call and instructed to [toe] the line and to quieten down in the criticism of match officials,” Hackett claimed.
“Anyone involved in football saw the push (on Gabriel) and at that point, the goal should have been ruled out.”
Football insider Team News and Ticks made a similar claim, suggesting that Howard Webb has given Sky Sports more access to referees in return for Neville and Carragher giving them an easy ride
Sports Presenter, Gary Neville looks on during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground on March 17, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
ArsenalArsenal Gossip
Ex-ref claims TV pundits instructed to back officials on Arsenal errors
By Dan Critchlow -Nov 7, 2023
Former referee Keith Hackett has claimed that phone calls were made instructing pundits to quieten down in their criticism of officials, following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports TV Presenter and former Footballer reacts prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports TV Presenter and former Footballer reacts prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Over the weekend, Arsenal were the victim of a couple of poor refereeing decisions.
Bruno Guimaraes got away with hitting Jorginho in the head without so much as a yellow card, before Newcastle’s goal was allowed to stand despite a clear foul on Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up.
Yet much of the post-match analysis has focused on Mikel Arteta’s response to the poor decisions, rather than on the decisions themselves.
Indeed, Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have been particularly outspoken in backing the referees against Arteta’s complaints.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
SALFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Gary Neville, former English footballer, television pundit and co-owner of Salford City during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Salford City and Leeds United at Peninsula Stadium on August 29, 2023 in Salford, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
SALFORD, ENGLAND: Gary Neville, former English footballer, television pundit and co-owner of Salford City during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Salford City and Leeds United at Peninsula Stadium on August 29, 2023. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Though former referee Keith Hackett didn’t name Neville or Carragher specifically, he claims to have been made aware of phone calls to instruct people to play down criticism of match officials.
“I was aware of the two people receiving a phone call and instructed to [toe] the line and to quieten down in the criticism of match officials,” Hackett claimed.
“Anyone involved in football saw the push (on Gabriel) and at that point, the goal should have been ruled out.”
Football insider Team News and Ticks made a similar claim, suggesting that Howard Webb has given Sky Sports more access to referees in return for Neville and Carragher giving them an easy ride.
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