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.
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“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
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