Howard Webb has admitted that referee Simon Hooper made a mistake in not playing advantage during the final moments of Manchester City's 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. Webb, the chief refereeing officer for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), revealed that Hooper was 'devastated' and 'remorseful' over the incident.
The decision occurred in the dying minutes of the match on 3 December, when Hooper initially signalled for a foul but allowed play to continue before halting it moments later, after Erling Haaland had played the ball through for Jack Grealish. The Premier League champions were charged with failing to control their players after several questioned the decision, with Haaland seen screaming at Hooper at close range. Haaland avoided personal charges for his behaviour and for a tweet sent immediately after the match.
Speaking on the latest episode of 'Match Officials: Mic'd Up', Webb said: 'It is an officiating mistake. On this particular occasion, he sees a pretty strong, reckless foul challenge by Emerson Royal on Haaland. It's in midfield, and the ball comes backwards. He does the hard work, he just hesitates a moment to see if an advantage is possible. But he recognises in his mind, thinking it through, that it was a strong challenge, it was reckless, he is going to have to caution.'
Webb added that Hooper had refereed the game well for 93 minutes but knew the incident would be the only talking point. He said: 'Really close to the end of the game, I understand the disappointment that Manchester City felt on this one, because it would have been a wonderful advantage. He just formed the opinion to blow just at the wrong time.'
Webb revealed that he had spoken to Hooper, who was criticised in August for failing to award a penalty to Wolves against Manchester United, and recommended owning up to the mistake. 'I said to him afterwards: "Just hold your hands up. It's difficult to be annoyed at a remorseful man. Just show your disappointment in the moment." Because he was certainly feeling that at the time.'
