Nottingham Forest Brighton
(Credit: BBC Sport and Imago)
Keith Hackett
Mon 31 March 2025 13:20, UK
VAR should not have intervened to overturn a penalty awarded to Nottingham Forest during their FA Cup clash with Brighton, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was enough contact in Karou Mitoma’s challenge on Elliot Anderson to warrant a penalty being given.
Going into the game, Wayne Rooney had slammed Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo for making changes to his side for this clash at the AMEX on Saturday (29 March).
In the end though, it would prove to be a move that paid off for the Portuguese manager as his side secured a place in the FA Cup semi finals.
Nottingham Forest and Brighton played out a goalless draw after extra time, before the visitors won 4-3 on penalties to secure their place at Wembley.
Things though, could have been easier for Nuno’s side had it not been for one key intervention from VAR in normal time.
Nottingham Forest
Elliot Anderson thought he had won a penalty for Nottingham Forest (Credit: Imago)
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Karou Mitoma reprieved after penalty award
Just after the hour-mark in the game, Anderson had broken into the Brighton penalty area, before going to ground as he dribbled along the byline following a sliding challenge from Mitoma.
Referee Peter Bankes had then quickly pointed to the spot to award a penalty to Nottingham Forest, before replays showed the contact from Mitoma had been from his elbow on the foot of Anderson.
That prompted VAR to recommend an on-field review from Bankes, who then changed his decision to give the penalty against Brighton, handing the hosts a let-off.
Hackett though, believes there was no need for VAR to get involved, or for the decision to give a penalty to Nottingham Forest to be cancelled out.
Nottingham Forest last five games Result
Arsenal (H) Drew 0-0
Ipswich (H) Drew 1-1 (won 5-4 on penalties)
Man City (H) Won 1-0
Ipswich (A) Won 4-2
Brighton (A) Drew 0-0 (won 4-3 on penalties)
All competitions
‘Brighton lucky as penalty overturned’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision of VAR to get involved to overturn the penalty, the former referee said:
“I think that’s a penalty. The player first of all slides in, he’s on the ground, therefore he’s out of control, he can’t change direction, it’s a challenge where he has taken a risk and part of his body has made contact with the Nottingham Forest player.
“I cannot see why VAR should have intervened on this one. Then, as usual, when a referee goes to the monitor, he’s going with doubt in his mind, it’s being brought to his attention.
“I would have liked Peter Bankes to have said ‘I’m happy here that the sliding challenge had a purpose.’
“It was a careless challenge – I don’t think it was reckless – but he was out of control, he’s made contact with the player, he’s put his body in front of the player, so for me I think that’s a penalty kick. His sliding challenge has brought the player down.
“There’s clear contact, it is that arm that’s made contact with the player so it’s hit his body.”
Having eventually won through via the shootout regardless, Nottingham Forest are now set to face Man City in the semi finals at Wembley in April.
Brighton meanwhile will now focus their attentions on securing European qualification via the Premier League between now and the end of the season.
Related Posts