‘Where is VAR?’ - PGMOL expert fumes as Nick Woltemade controversy re-analysed from Newcastle
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Harri Burton
Mon 22 September 2025 15:43, UK
Newcastle United should have been awarded a penalty against Bournemouth after Nick Woltemade was pulled to the floor.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Rob Jones missed a simple decision at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, 21 September.
Eddie Howe’s position at Newcastle has come under scrutiny after a dead rubber on the south coast left the Magpies sitting 13th in the Premier League table after five matches.
Malick Thiaw was also lucky not to be sent off for a second cautionable offence during the 0-0 draw, but Newcastle should have had a chance to score from the penalty spot for all three points.
In the 52nd minute, new signing Woltemade was left on the floor inside the penalty area, claiming for a spot-kick, but the referee remained unmoved at the Vitality Stadium.
Many fans will argue that the big-money signing went to ground far too easily under pressure from Bournemouth‘s Bafode Diakite, but the defender had a huge chunk of shirt in his hand.
Speaking on the incident, Howe said: “My gut instinct was a penalty.
He was pulled, and it stopped him from getting a shot off.”
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All three points would have seen the Magpies move up to the top half of the Premier League, joining Chelsea on eight points, but instead, they are just three points above the relegation zone.
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, saying: “It’s holding.
VAR should have come in because it’s a penalty kick. It’s not an act of simulation because the shirt is coming away from the body.
“What more do you want?
The opponent is preventing movement, and while he might be seen to go down easily, he’s being fouled.
“It’s a sustained hold, and that’s clear because the shirt has come away from the body.