'Wrong on all counts' - Ex-PGMOL chief slams Chris Kanavagh over Man United penalty controversy
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Football
Harri Burton
Mon 25 August 2025 11:31, UK
Chris Kavanagh was wrong to award a penalty to Man United after Calvin Bassey dragged Mason Mount to the floor, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while the isolated incident warranted a spot-kick to be awarded, a foul in the build-up was completely ignored.
In the 35th minute, the Red Devils were given the opportunity to score from a spot-kick, as one of Marco Silva‘s most experienced players threw Mount to the ground inside the penalty area at Craven Cottage.
At the same time, Rodrigo Muniz was tackled by Luke Shaw off the ball, but the incident was missed, and Bruno Fernandes, who clashed with referee Kavanagh, skied his effort over the crossbar on Sunday, 24 August.
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
Leny Yoro was also lucky to see his goal stand against the Cottagers, albeit it went down as a Muniz own goal, having clearly pushed Bassey in the back before heading past Bernd Leno.
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Hackett was more than frustrated by the continuous errors at Craven Cottage, by both referee and VAR officials, but Silva’s side were eventually able to equalise through Emile Smith Rowe.
It was a disastrous afternoon for Premier League officials, and Kavanagh’s performance has been put under a microscope following the missed controversies between United and Fulham.
Calvin Bassey was punished for dragging Mason Mount down in the penalty area.
(Credit: Imago)
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “There were three ways of dealing with the situation, one being just to ignore it.
Second, stop the game, warn both sets of players, and order a retake, or three, award a free-kick to the defence.
“You certainly don’t award a penalty kick when another offence has taken place.
“VAR can only interfere with a penalty kick, not with the foul.
Awarding a penalty is almost as good as a goal, unless you’re Fernandes…
“It was wrong on all counts.