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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jamie Kemble

Former referee slams Martin Atkinson over 'simply amazing' error in Manchester United vs Chelsea

Former referee Keith Hackett has slammed Martin Atkinson for failing to give Chelsea a penalty against Manchester United.

The Blues picked up a point from their trip to Old Trafford on Saturday but felt they should have been given a penalty which could have proved the vital winner.

Cesar Azpilicueta attempted to get his head onto a ball into the United box only to be effectively bear-hugged by Harry Maguire.

But Atkinson decided it wasn't a foul and VAR also cleared the decision, leaving Chelsea fans furious.

On the back of that decision, former referee Hackett has slammed Atkinson, claiming there is 'something radically wrong' with referees.

“It is evident that something is radically wrong with our referees," he told CaughtOffside. "Last weekend we witnessed Jordan Pickford’s serious foul play going unpunished where VAR and the referee made a catastrophic error by taking no action."

He added: “Martin Atkinson is one of our most experienced referees, so it was simply amazing that he failed to give a penalty pick when Harry Maguire had a clear stranglehold on Cesar Azpilicueta.”

“Atkinson made a clear and obvious error by not awarding the penalty kick, so VAR official Stuart Atwell should’ve intervened and recommended that Atkinson viewed the pitch side monitor.”

“I would ask the head of PGMOL Mike Riley why his officials are making such glaring errors on frankly easy decisions when seen for a second time.”

“VAR in England is frankly bringing the game into disrepute, and I am amazed that nothing is being done to improve the standard of our officiating.”

The draw leaves Chelsea in seventh place, four points off leaders Everton, who lost on Sunday, while Man United are in 15th, two points worse off with a game in-hand.

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