Liverpool fans were left fuming after Virgil van Dijk’s header against Manchester City was ruled out and now a former FIFA referee has accused the officials of “manipulating the law” to justify the call.
Keith Hackett, who once headed the PGMOL himself, went on a detailed online rant criticising the decision to rule out our captain’s equaliser at the Etihad.
The 81-year-old, who refereed the 1981 FA Cup final, believes the officials got it wrong by deeming Andy Robertson to be interfering with Gianluigi Donnarumma despite the Scot clearly standing to the goalkeeper’s left.
“A clear manipulation of the law to justify an incorrect decision,” Hackett wrote on X. “Robertson did not interfere with his opponent.”
Hackett went on to question how Howard Webb, Michael Oliver and Chris Kavanagh handled the situation, comparing the PGMOL’s explanation show, hosted by Michael Owen, to a “Tommy Cooper sketch”.
He added: “Manipulate the law to fit with the decision… Gallagher and Foy wouldn’t have ruled it out. Neither would I or Halsey.”
Hackett defends Liverpool’s case after disallowed Van Dijk goal
The disallowed effort came with the Reds trailing 1–0, just minutes before half-time, and could have shifted the momentum in a game we went on to lose 3–0.
It was the fifth league defeat of the season for Arne Slot’s reigning champions though, who failed to register another shot on target until the 76th minute.
Hackett’s comments follow Liverpool’s formal complaint to the PGMOL, with club officials contacting Howard Webb to voice “serious concerns” about how the decision was reached.
That message came before the governing body released the VAR audio from the incident, which showed officials deciding within seconds that Robertson had impacted Donnarumma’s view.
Liverpool continue to challenge officiating standards
The controversy adds to a growing list of frustrations with refereeing standards this season.
The decision to disallow Van Dijk’s goal left many questioning the consistency of officiating, especially when incidents like Bernardo Silva’s offside involvement against Wolves last season went unpunished.
Hackett agreed, replying: “Spot on with your analysis.”
For Liverpool, it’s another bitter chapter in a season where key calls have repeatedly gone against us and where former officials are now publicly siding with the Reds.
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If (hypothetically), when Van Dijk headed the ball, all other players vanished, Donnarumma would not have been able to make a save. The camera angle behind the goal shows his feet are airborne, he does not plant his feet until the ball is most of way the towards goal, as such there is no consequence in Robertson being in the vicinity. PGMOL’s stance would not stand up in a court of law.
Yes, his movement at the time of VVD’s header was to his right. VVD was at a 45-degree angle so Donnarumma saw it all the way. Robbo’s movement had no bearing as the goalie had already dived
Respect the older retired referees. There were seldom controversy in the past and these referees take their job seriously.
Very droll, Red.😃
Not only the goal, but how tell me how Michael Oliver can look for minimal contact 9 times on a screen and give a penalty, but not go to the monitor to check a kick in the chest on McAlister 2 years ago…. Oliver at his best when city play now kavanagh joining in it’s through what they say, if you can’t get the easy decisions right how are you you going to get tough decisions right….. Sorry that’s easy just give them 116 chargers and get the ref to give them points after points and nothing will ever change because Jim white talk sport says Liverpool cry wolf so Jim please tell me how to get changed in the game if you just give the conversation a non starter Liverpool should not be complaining say’s Jim I guess Jim does not want change to get better officiating in the game….