'I reffed those guys' - Hackett responds to Carragher and Neville over Amad Diallo controversy

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Credit: Imago Tue 21 October 2025 7:00, UK Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were not wrong to disagree with one of Michael Oliver’s decisions between Liverpool and Man United.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that despite their protestations, the game has entered a new era in the Premier League.The biggest controversy emerged when Bryan Mbeumo was allowed to open the scoring, even with Alexis Mac Allister needing treatment due to an elbow to the head from teammate Virgil van Dijk.Oliver has been defended by Hackett for his decision to play on, but it was one that shot the referee into the spotlight during United’s shock 2-1 win over their rivals at Anfield on Sunday, 19 October.Amad Diallo goes into the referee’s notebook at AnfieldOliver was an unpopular figure once again as Amad Diallo was shown a yellow card for what appeared to be a standard tackle on Cody Gakpo, with both Neville and Carragher disagreeing with the harsh decision.Dominik Szoboszlai and Patrick Dorgu both deserved to be punished as the duo clashed over a late free-kick, but the referee chose to keep his cards in his pocket on this occasion.Very few understood the official’s inconsistencies on the pitch, but rewatching the clip after full-time, Hackett acknowledged, while it would not have been an issue in his day, those kinds of tackles are frowned upon now.Credit: Imago MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The Man United star clearly got the ball, but after a follow-through, he left the opponent on the floor, and Oliver felt he had no other option but to sanction him in front of a riled-up Anfield crowd.Keith Hackett takes the blame off Michael OliverSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The boot is slightly raised. That right leg is high, which is why he’s got a yellow card.

The referee has judged it as reckless. “But I come from a different era.

I refereed those guys [Carragher and Neville], and that’s the difference. He’s seen it as reckless.”