Newcastle United should have had a penalty but this is why they didn’t get it – Former top referee | OneFootball

Former top referee Keith Hackett has been talking about the Callum Wilson ‘penalty’ incident at St James’ Park on Monday night.

Newcastle United fans bewildered why the penalty wasn’t given, as West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos was all over Callum Wilson and clearly appeared to foul him, the NUFC striker right in front of goal.

Mavropanos,wrestled Wilson to the ground as the Newcastle United number nine went to try and head in Jacob Murphy’s cross.

The on the pitch referee Craig Pawson didn’t give the penalty.

Former top referee Keith Hackett says he would have given a spot-kick.

The bottom line here is, once the referee says no penalty, then his decision is seen as subjective. He has seen the incident and (somehow!!!) seen no foul, so it is not a ‘clear and obvious’ error that VAR can intervene on. It is not an incident that the on the pitch referee has missed.

So even though how appalling his decision may be, there is nothing VAR can do about it, even if they wanted to.

Keith Hackett talking to West Ham Zone about the Callum Wilson penalty incident:

“Over recent years we have witnessed many incidents of grappling in the penalty area going unpunished.

“The PGMOL officials clearly only penalise when the holding is sustained and has an impact on the opponent.

“This particular incident is subjective with the on-field referee making a ‘no offence’ decision.

“His judgement from a well-positioned viewing angle.

“The VAR does not intervene because it is not a clear and obvious error, even though the West Ham United defender’s hands and arms are in contact with his opponent.

“The referee then decided there’s no offence and no penalty kick to Newcastle United.

“It is a subjective decision.

“It does not fulfil the criteria of a ‘clear and obvious error’.

“We are now seeing on a regular basis that this type of contact going unpunished.

“In my era of officiating, I would have been pointing to the penalty mark.”

Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Monday 25 November 8pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

West Ham:

Soucek 10, Wan-Bissaka 53

Possession was Newcastle 52% West Ham 48%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 West Ham 15

Shots on target were Newcastle 2 West Ham 6

Corners were Newcastle 8 West Ham 3

Touches in the box Newcastle 35 West Ham 17

Newcastle United team v West Ham

Pope; Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno (Trippier 84), Willock (Barnes 46), Gordon (Wilson 68), Isak, Joelinton (Murphy 69)

Unused Subs:

Targett, Dubravka, Almiron, Osula

(Toys out of the pram as usual – Embarrassing – Read HERE)

(We were the dominant team at half-time – Eddie Howe – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 0 West Ham 2 – An international break when we were building momentum didn’t help but… Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (3pm)

Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon

Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)