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Ex-Premier League referee swipes at 'dangerous' Sharp as controversial Wolves-Sheffield United footage analysed
The referee was right to disallow Billy Sharp’s goal as Sheffield United fell to a 3-0 defeat to Wolves yesterday (9 January), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted it did not matter that Sharp’s high boot did not come into contact with an opponent.
The Sheffield United captain thought he had levelled the scoring at Molineux when he prodded home from inside the six-yard box.
However, Paul Tierney gave Wolves a free-kick for Sharp’s high boot as he challenged Leandro Dendoncker to the ball, as shown on the Blades’ official YouTube channel.
Paul Heckingbottom seemed to suggest to the BBC after the game the goal should have stood as there was no contact but “everything’s a foul now”.
“I think this was the right decision,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“If the ball is above the waist as a football player now you’ve got to play with your head rather than your feet.
“It doesn’t matter about contact. I’ve got a lot of time for Heckingbottom, I think he’s a great manager. But the fact he didn’t make contact doesn’t matter.
“It’s a dangerous act and therefore he has to be penalised so the referee was right.”
Wolves will welcome the Premier League’s basement boys Norwich City to Molineux in the fourth round next month.
The two sides drew 0-0 at Carrow Road when they met in the league in November.
In other news, Paddy Kenny has dropped an ‘exciting’ Sheffield United transfer prediction after major twist.