The controversial decisions given against Newcastle United in recent weeks may be down to a 'loss of concentration and awareness' due to the Magpies' relegation battle.
That is the view of former Premier League referee Keith Hackett, who insists officials should not see fixtures involving Eddie Howe's side as a 'training ground'.
Newcastle lodged a 'formal complaint' with the Premier League following a succession of contentious calls in recent defeats to Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Howe's side were left aggrieved after finding themselves on the wrong end of penalty calls in both boxes, as well as Mike Dean's decision to allow Diogo Jota's equaliser at Anfield to stand despite a head injury for Isaac Hayden.
Hackett has vehemently defended the 'integrity' of the referees in question, admitting they make errors. However, the former referee has called upon PGMOL chief Mike Riley to now appoint the 'best' officials in United's upcoming fixtures.
Hackett told Football Insider: “I had a discussion with fans and they don’t see them as human errors, they see them as an integrity issue.
“I defended referees and insisted their integrity was never in doubt. They make mistakes but are honest brokers and are human.
“When they go to Newcastle is it because they are at the bottom that the focus and effort that is required is not being executed. The loss of concentration and awareness is creating errors.
“It’s incumbent upon the referee of that particular game to not see it as a top team v bottom team but as a Premier League game where they have to give 100 per cent.
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“It’s like a holiday camp, there’s no accountability.
“Mike Riley knows the referees that are in form. Newcastle United need to have a run of referees that are deemed as being the best, don’t use it as a training ground.”
