Credit: Imago / TNT Sports

Harri Burton

Mon 11 August 2025 18:00, UK

Adam Wharton’s controversial challenge on Jeremie Frimpong is clear evidence of VAR needing a rule change, according to Keith Hackett.

Ex-PGMOL chief issues Southampton red card verdict after 'clear' Wrexham penalty incident	'Cannot ignore it' - Ex-FIFA ref slams Kavanagh over Wharton incident v Liverpool	Eberechi Eze's 'nonsense' blasted by PGMOL insider in Crystal Palace win v Liverpool

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Chris Kavanagh should have been able to use the technology to his advantage without the intervention from VAR officials.

During a four-goal thriller between Crystal Palace and Liverpool on Sunday, 10 August, Wharton went unpunished for a studs-up challenge on Frimpong, having followed through with a kick into the full-back star.

An image of the incident quickly went viral on social media, with the majority of Liverpool supporters outraged that the decision had been missed by all officials at Wembley Stadium.

Adam Wharton goes unpunished for this challenge on Jeremie Frimpong.

(Credit: TNT Sports)

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Hackett, however, believes that VAR would not have intervened due to seeing the challenge as a yellow-card offence, and the technology is not allowed to get involved unless it warrants a red card.

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles went on to equalise afterwards, with Ismaila Sarr’s goal also being allowed to stand for Palace despite a foul on Cody Gakpo in the build-up, sending the game to penalties.

Chris Kavanagh did not take action against the Crystal Palace star.

(Credit Imago)

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

With misses from Mo Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott all missing from the spot, Palace were victorious at Wembley Stadium for the second time in three months, but these controversial moments appeared to overshadow the achievement somewhat.

Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about VAR’s failings in this situation, saying: “In an incident such as this one, this is an example of where I would have liked the referee to have a second look.

I think we’ve got to get into a new VAR role, where we actually use it as a tool to clarify when the referee doesn’t have the ideal view.

So here, the referee has missed an incident.

If that’s a worry for the authorities, maybe give the referee the ability to review three incidents in a game where he’s unsure.