Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has delivered a strong verdict on referee Chris Kavanagh’s role in the buildup to Bruno Fernandes’ missed penalty against Fulham on Sunday afternoon. Manchester United were handed a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 36th minute after a VAR review ruled that Calvin Bassey had wrestled Mason Mount to the ground, prompting Kavanagh to point to the spot.
But the Red Devils’ captain failed to cash in, his stuttered run-up ending with the ball sailing high into the stands (watch the attempt below). Amorim’s side eventually edged in front after the break via a Rodrigo Muniz own goal, only for Emile Smith Rowe’s equaliser to leave United ruing their missed opportunities and staring at a second straight winless outing to start the new Premier League season.
Fernandes, though, later claimed he had been put off by the referee - with new footage revealing Kavanagh appeared to collide with him just before he went about his usual penalty-taking routine. Hackett has now had his say on the incident.
Ex-PGMOL Chief Casts Verdict On Fernandes Penalty Controversy
bruno fernandes-1
Co-commentating live on Sky Sports Main Event, Gary Neville argued that the referee was to blame for Fernandes’ miss, pointing out how Kavanagh was caught on camera bumping into the taker as he made his way to the edge of the box. The incident unsettled United’s captain, who briefly confronted Kavanagh before stepping up, only for him to lose his train of thought in a high-pressure moment.
In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former FIFA referee Hackett doubled down on Neville’s view, insisting the official had no excuse for getting unnecessarily involved. He said (watch the incident below): “There was absolutely no reason for Kavanagh to make physical contact with Fernandes at the penalty kick.
“It is frankly poor procedure on his part. He should ensure that the ball is placed correctly on the penalty mark, that the goalkeeper is positioned correctly on the goal line and that attackers and defenders are positioned outside the penalty area.
"He then takes up his position and signals for the kick to be taken. Never give a player an opportunity to use the referee has an excuse for missing the shot on goal.”
Even after the first-half had concluded - as well as the start of the second half - Fernandes could be seen in deep conversation with Kavanagh, supposedly about his penalty antics. "It upset me because the referee didn't apologise," the 30-year-old said in his post-match interview.
bruno fernandes-2
"Obviously, like every penalty taker, you have your own routine," he continued, "but that's not the excuse for missing the penalty. I just had a very bad hit on the ball. I got my foot too (much) under the ball, and that's why the ball went over the bar."