Credit: Sky Sports Football

Harri Burton

Mon 11 August 2025 15:31, UK

Southampton should have been awarded an obvious penalty against Max Cleworth before their comeback win against Wrexham, according to Keith Hackett.

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The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old could have also received a second yellow card after blocking Shea Charles’ goal-bound shot with his hand.

Luckily for the Saints, referee James Bell‘s missed decision was not game-defining as goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens in the final six minutes handed them the win on Saturday, 9 August.

Josh Windass, newly signed from Sheffield Wednesday, opened the scoring for the Red Dragons from the penalty spot after Kieffer Moore was dragged down in the box by Ronnie Edwards.

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

It should not have been the only spot-kick of the game, however, with a sending-off for Wrexham’s Sam Smith also missed in the penalty area, as well as Cleworth’s illegal block with his hand.

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Supporters on both sides were extremely frustrated by the referee’s performance at St Mary’s Stadium, with Hackett now also admitting that he was very disappointed by Bell’s decisions.

At the time of this contentious handball decision, the Red Dragons were still one goal ahead, and had Cleworth been sent off, it would have been a much easier final 20 minutes for Will Still’s side.

Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the missed penalty decision, saying: “This was the worst performance that I’ve seen this referee deliver.

“That’s a handball, and it should have been a penalty kick.

(Credit Imago)

“I’d be reluctant to give a second yellow card, though.

Not every handball is a yellow card, but I do think the player knows what he’s doing, so there’s justification in issuing a second yellow.

The shock is that a referee of James Bell’s status, who did have a good season last year, and was praised on many occasions, missed it or didn’t see it as a handball offence.”

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