Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett has demanded answers from PGMOL following 'frankly unacceptable' scenes during Sunday afternoon's north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.
Tottenham welcomed their fierce rivals to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking to mark Igor Tudor's first match as interim manager with a victory.
It wasn't to be for the Lilywhites as they fell to a heavy defeat. Things looked bleak for Tudor's side when they fell behind in the 32nd minute courtesy of Eberechi Eze's goal. Tottenham bounced back quickly, restoring parity minutes later thanks to Randal Kolo Muani.
Arsenal dominated proceedings after the break, though, and eventually ran out 4-1 victors thanks to goals from Eze and Viktor Gyokeres, who was brilliant throughout.
Keith Hackett Slams Technology Errors During North London Derby
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The game was twice held up due to communication problems between the match officials. It was delayed for over five minutes in the first half because of an issue with the battery pack worn by assistant referee Blake Antrobus. The start of the second half was also delayed for several minutes so the issue could be fixed.
Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett has now slammed PGMOL for the 'unacceptable' issues. Hackett, formerly head of PGMOL, told Tottenham News: “It is frankly unacceptable that the communication kit failed and held up the game.
“When the kit is used after a game, it has to be cleaned, dried and stored. Before the next game, the system should have new batteries installed.
“One hour and 15 minutes before kick off, the officials go onto the pitch wearing their communication kits, and a check with all four officials and Stockley Park is carried out.
“The system should be fail-proof, and PGMOL should give adequate reasons for this system failing. Frankly, it is a disgrace that we have another failure this season.
“I introduced the communication kits to the game. Maintenance after each game and a check on battery life, and that the system is 100 per cent, is carried out before every game kicks off."
Hackett has demanded that PGMOL make it public as to why the system has started failing.
He added: “The PGMOL need to be transparent and tell us why a long-standing system is suddenly failing. It is ridiculous that this has happened twice in the game.“
Arteta Speaks Out on Communication Issues
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta was asked about the communications errors after the match, which Gary Neville called on commentary 'an absolute shambles.'
"Yeah, I mean, every time we are out of the dressing room, we get huge fines," Arteta said, per the BBC.
"So, I said to them who's going to get this fine because that's six, seven, eight, nine minutes. So, someone is going to get a big fine, and I'm sure that everyone is going to look at Sky, probably to the Premier League, the Premier League to Sky. So, yeah, we've got one in the bag now."
The big games keep coming for Arsenal as they face Chelsea in their next match. The game will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday March 1. Spurs face Fulham on the same day.