Keith Hackett: West Brom vs Middlesbrough referee should be promoted despite Hawthorns controversy
West Brom’s 3-2 loss to Middlesbrough was not without controversy.
Eric Ramsay’s first game as West Brom boss ended in defeat, with Delano Burgzorg breaking hearts at the death at The Hawthorns.
Isaac Price had gotten the comeback underway with a stunning free-kick routine, and Jed Wallace scored the equaliser, but it was ultimately not enough.
However, one decision in particular was more egregious than others, and an ex-PGMOL chief has spoken out.
Why West Brom should have had a penalty in Middlesbrough loss
Keith Hackett believes that the Baggies were denied a blatant penalty in the defeat against Kim Hellberg’s side.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, he said: “With the aid of replays, it is evident that the West Brom player was fouled on the penalty area line and the outcome should have been the award of a penalty kick.
“In this situation, the referee is expecting his assistant referee to be opposite the penalty area line to assist with the inside/outside penalty kick judgement.
“I fully understand the decision of the referee to award a free kick and not a penalty kick given his viewing angle.”
‘West Brom controversy referee should be promoted’
Despite the controversy over the penalty, Hackett believes referee Josh Smith is a contender to be promoted to the Premier League.
The ex-PGMOL chief believes that he has got the communication skills to make it in the top division and heralded his handling of the resulting free-kick, where the wall was the right distance away.
He said: “His management of the set piece free kick was impeccable, ensuring that players were appropriately positioned 9.15m (10yards).
“From the free kick West Brom scored, negating that initial incorrect decision.
“Apart from this very tight decision, I really do believe that Referee Josh Smith is one of the top contenders for elevation to the Select Group One (Premier League) panel.
“His work-rate and communication skills are first class, and he earns the respect and trust from the players.
“When he made that tight decision the players trusted him, and there was no dissent from the players.”
Ultimately, all is well that ends well, it is just unfortunate that the Baggies could not make it count in the end.