Former FIFA referee blasts ‘shocking’ Brentford v Newcastle United VAR decision

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett labelled the decision to award Brentford a second penalty against Newcastle United as “shocking”.

VAR threatened to take centre stage at the Gtech Community Stadium until an own goal from David Raya and a strike from Alexander Isak cancelled out Ivan Toney’s penalty.

Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded two first-half penalties to the Bees. United could have no complaints over the first after Sven Botman wiped out Kevin Schade in the area. Pope saved the effort from Toney, but the England international made no mistakes with his second spot-kick on the brink of half-time.

However, there was a strong debate over whether or not the penalty should have been given in the first place. VAR instructed Kavanagh to review Alexander Isak’s challenge on Rico Henry at the pitchside monitor, and following a lengthy check, pointed to the spot.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was furious with the decision, while co-owner Jamie Reuben also vented his feelings. Both views were backed up by former referee Hackett.

“The penalty kick awarded against Newcastle United by Ref Kavanagh in their match versus Brentford was shocking,” Hackett tweeted. “How can two elite referees deliver such a poor decision?

“Howard Webb should bench them for a couple of weeks do they receive some operational advice. Not good enough.”

VAR also ruled goals for both teams; Toney’s goal in the ninth minute and Wilson’s strike that would have made it 3-1.

The Magpies, however, survived the controversy and recorded a fifth straight win to further underline their Champions League qualification credentials.

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