Ex-PGMOL chief reveals 'doubt' over Fabio Carvalho goal at the death vs Chelsea
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports YouTube
Harri Burton
Mon 15 September 2025 17:58, UK
VAR official James Bell should have checked Fabio Carvalho’s goal as Brentford equalised against Chelsea at the death.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the limited information for the public has left him in doubt over the decision.
Cole Palmer returned from injury to inspire a second-half fight-back from the Blues, scoring their equaliser before Moises Caicedo rocketed home an effort from outside the penalty area.
Caicedo was lucky not to be punished against Brentford during the game on Saturday, 13 September, but that was the least of the Blues’ worries.
In the third minute of added time, Enzo Maresca‘s side were pegged back once again by the Bees, who had originally taken the lead via Kevin Schade, as Carvalho poked home at the back post.
While Carvalho was definitely not offside in the build-up, Schade’s long throw caused plenty of chaos inside the Blues’ penalty area, with Kristoffer Ajer flicking the ball on to the back post.
As replays started to emerge, so did question marks over new signing Dango Ouattara‘s role in the thrilling moment, swinging at and missing the ball.
Despite not making contact, he appeared to be offside after Ajer’s header.
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The Gtech Community Stadium continued its celebrations as players made their way back to the halfway line, and very little was said about the potential for the goal to be ruled out.
Credit: Imago
Upon closer inspection, Hackett believes that VAR should have taken a much closer look, utilising the semi-automated technology to their advantage, and possibly ruling out the goal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I did expect the game to be stopped to enable a thorough decision of this decision.
Firstly, you cannot be offside from a throw-in.
“The Brentford player moves onside for the flick-on.
We must also recognise that VAR does have semi-automated offside technology.
“I would certainly have appreciated VAR intervention to check this goal.
It left us with some doubt that this goal should have been allowed.”