Referee Daniel Siebert has been slammed by Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett for a 'nonsense' decision he made during the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal went into the match as the underdogs, but they took an early lead when Kai Havertz slammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain were given a golden opportunity to restore parity in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Ousmane Dembele made no mistake from 12 yards.
Neither side could find a winner as the match went all the way to penalties. The French giants held their nerve in the shootout as they prevailed to retain their title.
Champions League Final Referee Slammed
Daniel Siebert
Siebert has been slammed for prematurely blowing his whistle to signal the end of the first half.
Arsenal were given a corner in the dying embers of the first half. Given Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces, it presented a good opportunity for the Gunners to extend their lead.
However, as Bukayo Saka made his way to the corner flag to take the set-piece, Siebert changed his mind and decided there was no time remaining for the corner to be taken.
Arsenal's players were incensed by the decision, with Steven Gerrard also calling it 'madness'. Ex-PGMOL chief Hackett agrees with Gerrard's take.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: "In Law five, the referee is the sole timekeeper, and his actions for me underpin the need for football to appoint an independent timekeeper.
“Good practice here is to allow play to continue and blow up when the ball is in a neutral position.
“This action by the referee who has officiated well was frankly a bit of nonsense and avoidable. Did not see him taking a proactive approach by signalling to the Arsenal player to get on with it.”
Arsenal Should Have Been Awarded Penalty, Says Hackett
Noni Madueke appeals for a penalty in Arsenal's match with PSG
Hackett also thinks that Arsenal should have been given a spot-kick in extra-time when Noni Madueke went down under a challenge from Nuno Mendes inside the box.
He said: "The referee was firm in his decision not to award a penalty kick, satisfied that no offence had taken place.
“My first thoughts were that a penalty kick should have been awarded, and I suggest that had the referee pointed to the penalty mark, VAR would not have intervened.
“The referee said no, and VAR, viewing the replays, decided that there was not a clear and obvious error by the match referee to meet the criteria to send the referee to the screen.
“Without question, I think we can all say that we have seen these given. I suspect the referee judged that the Arsenal player was doing the holding.
“Frankly, in these tight decisions, I would like the referee to have a second look to determine the accuracy of such an important call.”