Keith Hackett moots ‘outside interference’ after Derby v Sunderland controversy
Keith Hackett is perplexed that Sunderland had their second goal of the night ruled out against Derby County.
Sunderland got back to winning ways against Derby on Tuesday evening (21 January), following on from their frustrating draw against Burnley.
However, it wasn’t without controversy as, after Wilson Isidor wheeled away to celebrate Sunderland’s second of the night, the goal was eventually ruled out to the surprise of supporters in the ground.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Hackett, an ex-FIFA official, gave his verdict on the disallowed goal.
“When you are making big decisions, you do so with confidence and clarity,” explained Hackett. “You blast your whistle and point to the scene of the offence.
“The Championship does not operate with VAR so there is no hesitation. This referee, Sam Allison, is in good contact with play, he is on the brink of selection to the group of Premier League referees. He has officiated two Premier League games this season.
“There is no offside flag in this attack. The assistant runs towards the halfway line confirming that he is happy with the goal. The referee is chasing down the attack. There is a potential impeding offence but rightly not penalised. The referee turns from the edge of the penalty area to run back upfield. He does not blow his whistle, and he is satisfied with the goal.
“So why has he disallowed it? It creates a suspicion of some outside interference. Are the PGMOL experimenting with a new cheaper version of VAR? I have checked this video and see no reason in the build-up to the goal for it to be chalked off.
“Fans have a right to know. I can see no reason why he changed his mind.”
Mark Halsey, an ex-Premier League official also took to X [21 January] to explain: “Difficult to see why the goal was disallowed.”
Sunderland have every right to feel hard done by
Ultimately, the Black Cats were still able to secure all three points but things should have been far easier than they were.
The goal would have (or at least should have) provided a huge confidence boost to Isidor after his two missed penalty attempts against Burnley, but for a reason still unknown to this point, he wasn’t afforded that opportunity.
Sunderland have an excellent opportunity to make it two wins on the bounce with a home encounter against Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle up next.
In other Sunderland news, a timeline has emerged for the return of this injured player.
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