PSG v Arsenal
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Former PGMOL chief and respected FIFA referee Keith Hackett has delivered a scathing assessment of Premier League officiating during the 2024–25 season, singling out several controversial decisions that he believes unfairly hindered Arsenal ’s campaign.
The Gunners, who finished as runners-up for a third consecutive season, were plagued by a series of questionable refereeing calls, many of which, according to Hackett, contributed to their failure to win silverware. His remarks as published byFootball Insider, add to growing concerns over the standard of officiating in England’s top flight.
Hackett, who officiated major fixtures including the 1981 FA Cup Final, has long been a critic of inconsistency in refereeing. He highlighted the five red cards shown to Arsenal players, joint-highest in the league as a key issue. Notable incidents involved Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, who were both sent off early in the season for time-wasting offences. Hackett condemned these dismissals for a lack of consistency, pointing out that Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku escaped punishment for similar actions against Arsenal on September 22, 2024.
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One of the most contentious moments came in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton, when William Saliba conceded a penalty following a clash of heads with João Pedro. While Hackett admitted the decision was technically correct, he described it as “harsh” and reflective of the kind of rare, marginal calls that consistently went against Arsenal.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card against Brighton in the just concluded season (Image credit: Getty Images)
Hackett has publicly echoed Arsenal’s frustrations, stating in a January 6 post on X: “Greg, the facts show that Arsenal have had some poor decisions awarded against them.”
He did, however, acknowledge good officiating when due, praising assistant referee Nick Hopton’s call to disallow Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on January 12. But Hackett also cited a similar incident involving Ipswich Town and Bristol Rovers that ended differently, describing the contrast as a clear example of inconsistency in offside interpretations.
The former referee has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), describing a string of “avoidable errors,” including the controversial red card issued and later overturned against Myles Lewis-Skelly in a match versus Wolves. He labelled another red card shown to Lewis-Skelly in a later fixture against West Ham as a “massive error.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly red card- Arsenal - Alan Shearer - Premier League
Myles Lewis-Skelly was also shown a red card against Wolves in the Premier League (Image credit: Getty Images)
Hackett also voiced concern over the role of VAR, arguing that instead of eliminating mistakes, it has too often added to the confusion and controversy. “VAR has not achieved what it set out to do,” he said, stressing the need for better training and decision-making standards.
Turning to Arsenal’s own disciplinary record, Hackett urged PGMOL chief Howard Webb to hold private talks with Mikel Arteta during the off-season. He suggested that an open dialogue could help the Arsenal boss instil better discipline in his squad, noting: “Talks are needed… to allow a manager to influence his side’s discipline.”
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Arteta himself has not shied away from criticising officials, famously branding a penalty awarded against his team versus Brighton as “bizarre.” While such comments have led to speculation about FA sanctions, Hackett defended the Spaniard, praising his honesty in holding referees accountable.
Hackett’s critique extended beyond Arsenal. He cited broader issues with the overall officiating framework, including the league’s decision to abandon extended stoppage times, a move he believes compromised the fairness of late-game results. He also pointed to similar challenges being treated differently, such as Bournemouth’s Evanilson being sent off while Wolves’ Rayan Aït-Nouri went unpunished for a near-identical foul.
Calling for higher standards, Hackett concluded that the Premier League, widely regarded as the world’s most competitive football competition, deserves officiating quality that reflects the calibre of its players and coaches.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world,” he said. “Its refereeing should be world-class, too.”
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