Sports
‘The Law States’ – Ex-PGMOL Chief Explains if VAR Made Error in Brentford 3-1 Man Utd
Former head of PGMOL Keith Hackett has given his verdict on the controversial Nathan Collins incident from Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford, saying the Irish defender should have been sent off for his second-half challenge on Bryan Mbeumo.
Ruben Amorim was handed more misery on Saturday afternoon as his side went 2-0 down in the 20th minute following a brace from Igor Thiago and gave themselves a mountain to climb early in the game.
While the Red Devils pulled one back through Benjamin Sesko, who scored his first United goal, they also had an opportunity to equalise with 15 minutes to go but skipper Bruno Fernandes saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
United were awarded the spot kick following Collins’ foul on Mbeumo, when the Cameroonian went to meet a low cross from Matheus Cunha and was brought down in the box.
Despite a lengthy VAR check, referee Craig Pawson only showed Collins a yellow card, and the decision has been met with heavy criticism from Hackett, who said he was in ‘total disbelief’ after Collins avoided an early bath.
Keith Hackett: Collins Avoided ‘Clear Red’
Hackett, writing on X, said that Collins should have been sent off based on the DOGSO (denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) rule:
“I shake my head in total disbelief. It is a clear red for DOGSO.”
He added in another post:
“It was a clear DOGSO the law states. Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball. Evident to me that had that foul not taken place the forward would have had a shot on goal.”
American referee David Gerson also believes Brentford should have finished the game with 10 men on Saturday. He said: “This is absolutely a red card for denial of obvious goalscoring opportunity.
“How this was only a yellow card and penalty, I don’t understand. Let me go ahead and dispel some myths, double jeopardy, you can’t give a red card in a penalty kick. Absolutely, you can. The laws have changed over the years, it used to be the case you couldn’t, now you can.”
Saturday’s defeat saw United prolong their winless away streak in the Premier League, with their last victory in opposition territory coming in March – a 3-0 win over Leicester.
The Red Devils have also yet to win two successive league games under Amorim, who was appointed in November last year and is approaching his 50th game in charge – a home clash with Sunderland next Saturday.
Sports
Newcastle Eyeing Move to Sign Antonee Robinson, He’s Tempted to Join
Newcastle United are eyeing a move to sign Fulham star Antonee Robinson this summer, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Magpies have had a difficult summer so far, losing Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali before manager Eddie Howe resigned from his post, and captain Bruno Guimaraes is also on the verge of joining Arsenal after an agreement in principle was reached.
The manager’s exit has also led to major speculation that defender Lewis Hall could be on the move, with Man Utd heavily linked, and the club are now eyeing up a potential replacement in his position.
Newcastle Eyeing Robinson
Robinson, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been heavily linked with a move away from Fulham for several windows after emerging as one of the top left-backs in the Premier League with his performances.
But a number of injury issues last season saw him restricted to just 17 starts in the 2025/26 season, and the USA international, who turns 29 in August, could now be allowed to leave the Cottagers as a result.
Newcastle are hopeful of agreeing a fee that works for both clubs, although a number isn’t mentioned as part of the article. It’s also stated, however, that Robinson could be tempted to make the switch to St James’ Park, despite the major losses within the squad.
Any move is expected to raise questions about Hall’s future, with the squad not needing two starting-quality left-backs this season as Newcastle don’t have European football, meaning they have a more limited schedule.
The Toon have already brought in Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Seun Steur, and Aladji Bamba this summer, while a deal to bring in a new number one goalkeeper in Lukas Hornicek from Braga is also close to being completed.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Robinson a Shrewd Signing at Right Price
Robinson has been one of the top performing left-backs in the Premier League in recent seasons, but with Marco Silva leaving Fulham this summer, there is a good opportunity for a new start for the American.
Newcastle would provide him with a chance to be competitive, and new manager Matthias Jaissle is someone who likes attacking football, which will play into the way he likes to play too.
Hall is the better player of the two, and is younger, so selling him for Robinson would make little sense. But if it’s a case of replacing Hall due to a move elsewhere, then Robinson would be a shrewd bit of business for the right price.
Sports
Celtic Close to Agreeing Deal to Sign ‘Outstanding’ Engels Replacement
A third summer signing looks to be on the brink of completing a move to Celtic as Martin O’Neill’s side prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership title.
The Bhoys began the transfer window with the arrival of Colombian striker Camilo Duran, who arrived from Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag. Norweigan attacker Kasper Hogh followed him to Parkhead from Bodo/Glimt.
A new midfielder has been on the agenda amid growing doubts over Arne Engels’ future with the Scots. West Ham United are reportedly close to sealing a deal for the Belgian, and it appears a replacement has already been lined up.
Celtic Close to Signing Mika Baur
Celtic are set to turn to Paderborn’s Mika Baur and TEAMtalk reports that negotiations between the two clubs are at an advanced stage. The German midfielder has informed his club that he wants to join the Hoops which has helped push the deal closer to completion.
Baur has agreed on personal terms, and his agent has been in Glasgow to finalise details ahead of the proposed switch. The club are said to have made an improved bid of €3.5 million (£3m) plus €1m (£850k) in add-ons, bringing the total package to €4.5m (£3.85m)
This is still below Paderborn’s €5m (£4.3m) valuation, but talks between the clubs are now nearing an agreement and could come as soon as the next 24 hours. He is tipped for a bright future, having played a key role in his club’s promotion to the Bundesliga last season.
The 22-year-old registered four goals and six assists in 36 games across competitions. He possesses a versatile profile, able to play in central midfield as well as further up the pitch and he’s prioritising Celtic over several other interested clubs from around Europe.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Celtic Needed to Replace Arne Engels
Engels has been an important member of Celtic’s midfield, including last season when he helped the Scots win the Premiership. The 22-year-old does sometimes go missing but his physicality proved vital for O’Neill.
A move to West Ham is sure to raise eyebrows because he’ll be heading to the EFL Championship rather than the Premier League. He also proved effective in front of goal, finding the back of the net seven times in 46 games last season.
Baur, described as “outstanding”, will add much-needed creativity to the midfield and help deal with Engels’ departure. He’s an exciting prospect who could prove to be a long-term solution for the Bhoys.
Sports
Tottenham Consider Move For 23-Goal Luis Suarez Regen
Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up alternatives to Junior Kroupi after deciding to delay a pursuit of the Bournemouth striker.
The young French forward suffered a foot injury during pre-season with the Cherries and has undergone surgery. He’s set to miss the next 3-4 months, and as a result, Spurs are reportedly set to wait until next year to move for the 20-year-old.
Roberto De Zerbi is still expected to be handed a new number nine this summer, and the club have a list of other targets. Having already forked out over £230 million on new signings, including £100m on Sandro Tonali, the transfer chiefs may be cautious about overspending with a future Kroupi pursuit in mind.
Tottenham Eyeing Tresoldi Following Kroupi Injury
One of the names on Tottenham’s list is Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi, who has been talked up for a move to one of Europe’s big guns this summer. He is highly sought after, and Barcna are also admirers of the German-Italian youngster.
According to TEAMtalk, Spurs have done substantial work on Tresoldi and Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani and are impressed. They are tracking both players closely and could move for one of them.
Tresoldi has also garnered interest from Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma following an eye-catching season in the Belgian Pro League. He found the back of the net 23 times in 58 games across competitions, including in a 3-3 draw against Barca in the Champions League.
At just 21 years old, he could be a long-term acquisition for the Lilywhites while also helping add much-needed firepower to De Zerbi’s squad. He is a modern centre-forward who makes deep runs and links up well with his fellow attackers.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Spurs Risking Kroupi If They Move For Tresoldi
Spurs could reap the rewards of swooping for Tresoldi, dubbed a ‘Luis Suarez regen’ given his potential and the need for De Zerbi to have more potency up top. Richarlison’s future is uncertain, while Dominic Solanke’s injury record is a concern ahead of the Italian’s first full campaign in charge.
The Kroupi situation will surely be factored in, though, as moving for a young striker could jeopardise a pursuit of the 20-year-old. It’s important that the higher-ups consider the knock-on effect of the German’s potential arrival.
If the Lilywhites intend to move for Kroupi, signing a player of a similar age doesn’t feel like the best approach. Instead, moving for a short-term experienced solution, much like Chelsea swooping for Danny Welbeck, could be the answer.
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