[Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/keith-hackett)
Cody Gakpo's penalty claim against Arsenal has caused confusion due to ProRef's application of the law on grappling inside the area.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he can understand why no spot-kick was awarded at Anfield.
The main talking point from Sunday, 1 November, remains around Jurrien Timber's tug on Alexander Isak, with this one being swept under the carpet.
Again in the first half, but this time Christos Tzolis, Gakpo appeared to be hauled to the floor inside the penalty area, crying out for a spot-kick to be awarded.
Those calls fell on the deaf ears of both referee Andy Madley and VAR, leading to another incident that went in the Gunners' favour.
Gakpo's incident was far less cut-and-dry than his teammate's, however, with Hackett now sharing his thoughts on the controversial call.
"I can fully understand why a penalty kick is not being given. And the reason is the interpretation of this law, which in my opinion, needs to be resolved from a ProRef perspective," he said.
"Grappling and holding are an offence. It doesn't, in law, talk about the sustainability of the holding offence. It just says holding is a free kick.
"If it takes place in the penalty area, it's a penalty kick. So I think ProRef are in a mess, in terms of dealing with holding offences and talking about this nonsense of sustainability.
"What does that exactly mean? Are we going to get players, outfield players, playing with their feet rather than with their hands and arms?"
Obviously, the people to blame are the referee and those at Stockley Park, but ultimately, it all falls on the shoulders of Howard Webb.
Hackett is adamant that Madley never should have been given the game in the first place, and now he should be suspended for the next round of fixtures.