Keith Hackett: Law needs to be looked at after controversial dismissals

Former referees’ chief Keith Hackett has suggested the law may need to be changed after controversial sendings-off for Arsenal’s David Luiz and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek on Tuesday.

Both players were shown red cards after conceding penalties for incidents in the area which could be considered accidental.

Luiz was dismissed by referee Craig Pawson in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Wolves after clipping the heel of Willian Jose as he chased the Brazilian.

Hackett, a former international referee and the ex-head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, told the PA news agency: “Luiz has come into contact with his opponent, therefore it comes under the banner of a careless challenge. It seems harsh, but Luiz has committed a careless challenge.

“In addition, because the foul has been given, has he committed denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity? The answer is yes. That’s why he’s got a red card.

“But what this careless challenge does is fulfil the criteria for a red card, which is the area that is causing debate.

“At the end of the day, it is another aspect of law, an interpretation, that needs to be looked at, I feel.”

The incident involving Bednarek in Southampton’s 9-0 thrashing at Manchester United was similar. In his case the Pole was trying to pull out of a challenge on Anthony Martial in the area when he brushed the forward.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of these laws, Hackett feels it would be wise for players to learn them.

He said: “What this says to me is defenders have to understand the law on what they can and cannot do.

“A defender now, in making a challenge for the ball, if he misses and fouls his opponent, needs to ensure he knows the outcome is going to be, yes, a penalty kick and a yellow card.

“But a defender in that situation, coming into contact with the player and not challenging for the ball, has that outcome of a red card.”

One incident he believed there was room for debate, however, was in the less controversial dismissal of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno at Molineux. The German was sent off for handling outside the area as Adama Traore threatened.

Hackett said: “Clearly the goalkeeper has come out and committed a foul but the other part of the law is the probability of that forward controlling the ball.

“For me, even though it looks as obvious as it did, I think there is an element of doubt as to whether the forward was being denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity, but that is a judgement call.”