“Was It a Red Card? Keith Hackett Drops Bombshell on Dean Henderson Controversy
Ex-PGMOL Chief Keith Hackett Weighs In on Dean Henderson Controversy from FA Cup Final
Crystal Palace fans will never forget the 2024/25 season, which saw their team clinch its first-ever major trophy
In a stunning FA Cup final, the Eagles defeated Manchester City 1-0, thanks to a clinical counter-attack finished by Eberechi Eze—an attacking hallmark of manager Oliver Glasner’s style.
The win not only brought historic silverware to Selhurst Park but also guaranteed Palace a place in European competition for the 2025/26 campaign.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was instrumental in the victory, producing a series of outstanding saves, including a penalty stop against Omar Marmoush.
However, his continued presence on the pitch came under scrutiny after a contentious moment involving Erling Haaland.
During a key phase of the match, Henderson appeared to handle the ball outside his box while attempting to thwart Haaland.
Match officials ruled that the ball was moving away from goal, sparing Henderson from further punishment. Yet, the debate lingers over whether his actions denied a clear goal-scoring chance.
Now, former top-flight referee and ex-head of PGMOL Keith Hackett has offered his assessment via Football Insider.
‘Unsporting Behaviour’: Hackett Evaluates the Incident
Hackett, who officiated at all levels of the game for over 30 years, highlighted the criteria used to determine a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. He explained:
“To judge whether there’s a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, you need to consider several factors—the distance to goal, direction of play, the likelihood of controlling the ball, and the number and position of defenders.
“In this case, the direction was away from goal, so it didn’t meet the standard for denying a goal-scoring chance.
However, if the handling outside the box is confirmed, it warrants a direct free-kick and a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.”
While the incident ultimately didn’t change the outcome, Hackett suggested that Henderson should have at least been booked.
For Crystal Palace, the focus remains on their historic triumph, though Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was reportedly frustrated by the officiating decision.
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