Keith Hackett has blasted the decision by Andy Madley to overturn his penalty award for Everton in stoppage time against Man United.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Madley should have ignored VAR and stuck to his original decision to give the Toffees a spot-kick.
There was a dramatic finish to the game at Goodison Park on Saturday (22 February), which Everton had led 2-0 after an excellent first-half performance.
But after Man United fought back to level the scoreline in the second half, David Moyes’ side were then denied a huge chance to snatch the win late in the game.
Man United escape stoppage time penalty at Everton
Two minutes into stoppage time, a shot from the edge of the penalty area was only parried away by Red Devils goalkeeper Andre Onana.
It then looked as though Ashley Young would be first to the loose ball, only for the Everton substitute to go down inside the penalty area.
That led to Madley pointing the spot, with replays appearing to show that two Man United defenders – Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt – did make contact to bring the 38-year-old down.
However, after being advised to review the decision on-field by VAR, the referee overturned his decision to give the penalty, meaning both side were forced to settle for a draw.
Now Hackett has been left stunned by the fact that Everton were not awarded a penalty for that challenge on Young.
Keith Hackett reacts as Ashley Young denied late spot-kick
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision to rule out that penalty after that on-field review, the former referee said:
“So Andy Madley, correctly in my opinion, awards a penalty kick for holding. So why has VAR got to intervene and then convince Madley to overturn his decision?
“Come on guys you’re making decisions that are farcical, a correct decision overturned incorrectly, because of VAR intervention.
“Andy you’re better than this, tell the VAR to go and do one because you were correct in the first instance and you’ve now overturned a good decision and disallowed a penalty kick. You’re wrong.”
Following that draw, Man United remain 15th in the Premier League table, one position and one point behind Everton.
Exclusive: PGMOL insider slams ‘farcical’ Everton vs Man United penalty overturn
