Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Luke Pawley

Expert slams Nottingham Forest decision and calls out 'incompetence' after Newcastle defeat

Former referee Keith Hackett has slammed the decision to rule out a Newcastle United goal against Nottingham Forest on Friday evening.

The Magpies ' Elliot Anderson had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR at the City Ground and, although Newcastle went on to win the game, the decision has still proven to be a controversial one.

Hackett, who refereed in the Football League and Premier League between 1976 and 1994, has taken to Twitter to explain why the decision in Forest's favour was a wrong one. “VAR was wrong to rule out the Newcastle United goal for offside," he wrote.

READ MORE: Forest must steel themselves for fight as Steve Cooper faces key decisions

READ MORE: Raging Nottingham Forest 'badly let down' during Newcastle United loss

“Under Law 11, the Forest defender made a deliberate play therefore Newcastle player should not have been ruled offside. Goal should have been allowed.

“If the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance by the player in control of the ball is inaccurate or unsuccessful, this does not negate the fact that the player ‘deliberately played’ the ball’.”

He added: “Incompetence, it is as simple as that. Lack of concentration. Clear that VAR referees across the group do not fully understand what a clear and obvious error is. I also begin to doubt their law knowledge.”

What was your view of the officiating on Friday? Have your say here

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.