Howard Webb, Moises Caicedo, Chelsea
Credit: Imago / Sky Sports YouTube
Keith Hackett
Mon 16 June 2025 16:15, UK
Howard Webb should use a controversial incident involving Chelsea star Moises Caicedo as an example to Premier League referees, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old was lucky to still be on the pitch during a frantic seven-goal thriller between Chelsea and Tottenham.
Early goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski meant Jadon Sancho could only half the deficit before half-time, with Cole Palmer‘s brace and Enzo Fernandez’s strike meaning Son Heung-min’s goal was meaningless.
The game could have changed immensely after Caicedo’s clash with Sarr in the middle of the park, but after VAR failed to intervene, Anthony Taylor did not even award a yellow card for the Ecuadorian.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb believes it was right for Moises Caicedo to avoid a red card against Tottenham during Chelsea's 4-3 victory on Sunday 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/qo1WrOy9H7
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 10, 2024
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Moises Caicedo avoids sending-off in feisty London derby
With the referee unsighted at the incident, VAR chose not to get involved, citing that there was no clear and obvious error from Taylor, not needing a second review at the pitchside monitor.
Ange Postecoglou, who could already have a new job in Saudi Arabia, could only watch as his side went on to drop all three points despite taking a two-goal lead back in December.
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Hackett was amazed by the decision not to send off Caicedo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, now suggesting that this clip can be used as an example for all referees ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Chelsea
Photo Credit: Imago
PGMOL to use Chelsea, Tottenham incident as an example this summer
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “That was serious foul play, and I was surprised that there was no intervention from VAR. He’s gone over the top of the ball, gone onto the shin of the opponent, it’s serious foul play, so he should have gone.”
Asked if this same incident should be a red card next season, Hackett said: “Absolutely. I hope that particular clip was shown to all the referees, with a very simple statement: ‘This is serious foul play. I want these offences red-carded. Do you understand?’
“There’s no room for error here. There’s a relationship here between Anthony Taylor and the VAR, who is at fault in this scenario for not sending the referee to the pitch-side monitor.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett expects action from PGMOL over Moises Caicedo’s incident.
“Had Taylor been sent to the pitch-side monitor, it would have been a sending-off. What worries me about VAR is that they are making the decision on this rather than the referee.
“In the summer, the referees need to get their act together, because this was a clear and obvious error. Let the referee make the judgment using the screen. If he sticks with the decision, so be it.”
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