Former ref chief Keith Hackett wants the Premier League to ditch blunder whistler Jon Moss
Moss made another ricket when he awarded Everton a free-kick which led to a Romelu Lukaku goal
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FORMER referees’ chief Keith Hackett claims Prem bosses should show the door to Jon Moss.
Blunder-prone official Moss made another ricket when he awarded Everton a direct free-kick in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last Friday.
Damien Delaney was penalised for a foul on Phil Jagielka despite not making contact with the Toffees defender, meaning it should have been an indirect kick.
The resulting deadball set-piece was converted by Romelu Lukaku.
It was the latest in a string of errors by Moss, 45, and comes with the Premier League whistlers under fire from managers, fans and pundits.
SunSport revealed earlier this week the FA will ask Fifa for permission to trial the use of video technology to help referees in the Prem next term.
And Hackett, the 1981 FA Cup final ref, who subsequently became general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, believes it is time for successor Mike Riley and the top-flight to pull the plug on a man who makes a serious mistake every other game.
Hackett and you-are-the-ref.com found Moss rock-bottom of the blunder list last term, with 13 incorrect key match decisions in just 22 Prem matches in charge.
That compares with the three critical mistakes in 27 matches made by Anthony Taylor and the three in 22 games from Michael Oliver.
Mike Dean and Kevin Friend got big decisions wrong every six matches.
And the former Fifa ref is adamant Moss has to be taken off the Prem panel.
Hackett said: “The law is very clear.
“When a player commits an act of dangerous play, if there’s no contact it’s an indirect free-kick. I expected Lukaku’s effort to be retaken and it wasn’t. That was 100 per cent incorrect.
“Moss is a referee who is a consistent bottom-of-the-table performer. Every time he referees it’s a bit of a disaster.
“For me he either needs a rest or he needs taking off the panel. We’ve got professional referees, so let’s be professional. He’s not up to the standard.”
Hackett feels Laurent Koscielny’s controversial injury-time winner for Arsenal at Burnley is further proof the introduction of technology to help officials cannot come soon enough.
Craig Pawson was in charge of that game at Turf Moor.
His top five blunders
ARSENAL v STOKE (Sep 12, 2015)
Totally missed a blatant red-card elbow by Gunners defender Gabriel.
CRYSTAL PALACE v WBA (Oct 3, 2015)
Failed to send off Yohan Cabaye for two first-half offences — and the midfielder went on to net a penalty.
WBA v SPURS (Dec 5, 2015)
Missed a red-card tackle by James McClean on Mousa Dembele.
SAINTS v ARSENAL (Dec 26, 2015)
Southampton’s first three goals should have been chalked off — for offside, a foul . . . and because a corner was actually a goal-kick.
LEICESTER v WEST HAM (Apr 17)
Jamie Vardy’s red card was wrong. Robert Huth should have conceded three penalties, then the Foxes got a bizarre spot-kick to snatch a draw.
As assessed by former top-flight official Glenn Turner for You-Are-The-Ref.com.
Hackett added: “It was a clear, deliberate handball. Koscielny had his hands raised, in an unnatural position. The goal should have been ruled out.
“Then we go to the offside that hasn’t been talked about.
“The one thing I can say is this was one where the video referee could have taken the pressure off and we could have got the right decision.
“I felt sorry for Craig Pawson because he was caught out of position, he didn’t have a view.”
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Prem refs earn an average of £70,000 per year but Hackett suggested: “The minimum amount they should earn is £250,000 per season.
“Mark Clattenburg, Martin Atkinson, Craig Pawson, Michael Oliver and Mike Dean — despite the odd critical comment — these guys are underpaid and are getting left behind.
“This is not right! There needs to be a change so that we attract the correct people into the professional game.”
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