Howard Webb is facing mounting scrutiny over the standard of Premier League officiating following another controversial weekend, highlighted by a flashpoint in Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that Xavi Simons was not the only player who should have seen red on Saturday, 20 December. Hackett also pointed to Alejandro Garnacho, who escaped dismissal against Newcastle United, and Dan Ballard, whose high challenge during Sunderland’s scoreless draw with Brighton went unpunished.
Hackett has been a consistent critic of the refereeing body throughout the 2025–26 season, and the latest round of fixtures only deepened concerns over decision-making standards.
Xavi Simons was eventually sent off in the 33rd minute after referee John Brooks reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor, a moment Hackett described as a rare sense of relief.
Speaking exclusively, Hackett said: “This weekend alone, we saw at least two challenges that should have resulted in straight red cards rather than yellow. Unfortunately, many PGMOL officials tend to adopt a far too forgiving approach. In the Tottenham versus Liverpool match, John Brooks ultimately applied the law correctly and dismissed Simons for a similar offence.”
When asked whether the referee should have acted immediately, Hackett replied: “Yes—but thankfully VAR official Stuart Attwell stepped in to correct the decision.”
