Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has supported the decision not to involve VAR in the contentious incident between Lucas Bergvall and Jan Paul van Hecke. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett insisted Bergvall’s challenge was fair and did not merit a foul.
Many Brighton & Hove Albion fans felt a free-kick should have been awarded in the buildup to Tottenham’s goal, where Spurs’ No.7 curled in a superb long-range effort and celebrated with supporters on Saturday, 18 April. However, VAR did not intervene, and the goal was allowed to stand.
Tottenham were later held to a 2-2 draw after Van Hecke took advantage of a mistake by Kevin Danso, leading to a late equaliser from Georginio Rutter. Hackett praised the officials, maintaining the challenge was clean and the referee made the correct call, while also backing VAR’s decision to stay out and validate the goal.
Spurs appeared set for a vital win, but Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton side snatched a point deep into stoppage time through Rutter.
While some analysts pointed to the value of gaining a point near the bottom of the table, the result did little to calm concerns. Roberto De Zerbi’s side remain just one point above the relegation zone, with focus now shifting to West Ham United’s clash against Crystal Palace on Monday, 20 April.
Reaction online has been largely critical, with many Tottenham fans expressing frustration and accusing the team of losing composure after letting victory slip late on. Spurs will now look to respond strongly when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 25 April.
