Jack Grealish livid as ex-FIFA official speaks out on Aston Villa v Man City incident
Keith Hackett has called on officials to show more “common sense” after Craig Pawson angered the Manchester City players against Aston Villa.
Villa prevailed 2-1 in Saturday’s (21 December) Premier League clash at Villa Park, with one player in simply superb.
City’s players – and Jack Grealish in particular – were upset that Pawson blew for half-time when they were in an attacking phase.
That led to a row between one-time Villa favourite Grealish and goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and former PGMOL and FIFA chief Hackett believes it could have all been avoided.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “Law 5 states that the sole timekeeper is the match referee.
“But what I would like to see is a bit of common sense from the match official.
“They should end the match when the ball is out of play, or alternatively when the ball is in midfield in a neutral position.”
Jack Grealish hits back at Aston Villa fans
Grealish was angered by this decision, although it must be said the one minute of added time had come to an end and City were not exactly close to goal.
The City playmaker’s day did not get any better, either, as he was targeted by chants from the Villa Park faithful.
Grealish was quick to respond to that by holding up three fingers, seemingly pointing out the number of Premier League titles he has won since swapping Villa Park for the Etihad Stadium.
It was very much a day to forget for Grealish and City, whose slump under Pep Guardiola has now reached extraordinary levels.
In other Aston Villa news, the Villans have been told to sign Bellingham.
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