KEITH HACKETT CONDEMS THE USE OF VAR AND POOR ROBERT JONES OFFICIATING IN MATCH BETWEEN NEWCASTLE VS BOURNEMOUTH, HE’S CALLING THEM OUT

Former Premier League referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has launched a scathing critique of match officials following a highly contentious Premier League encounter between Newcastle United and Bournemouth. Hackett focused his criticism squarely on referee Robert Jones and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, accusing them of fundamental errors that impacted the match’s fairness and damaged the credibility of top-tier English officiating.
​Central to the debate was a controversial goal scored during the match, which drew intense scrutiny over the application of VAR protocols. Hackett expressed deep frustration with the technology’s deployment, arguing that the system repeatedly oversteps its mandate of correcting clear and obvious errors. Instead, he highlighted that the prolonged reviews and debatable interventions serve only to create confusion on the pitch, derail match momentum, and frustrate players and supporters alike. According to the former refereeing chief, such missteps during crucial match-defining moments erode public confidence in the integrity of the officiating process.
​Equally direct was Hackett’s assessment of referee Robert Jones. He called out Jones’ on-field decision-making, positioning, and overall control of the game. Hackett noted that rather than demonstrating authoritative match management and sharp awareness, Jones appeared overly reliant on video technology to navigate key decisions. He emphasized that elite officials must maintain proactive control and consistent standards throughout tense fixtures, asserting that Jones fell short of the operational performance required for Premier League matches.
​In calling out both the match referee and the VAR setup, Hackett reiterated his call for urgent accountability, improved referee training, and clearer guidelines from PGMOL. He urged officiating authorities to prioritize basic on-pitch refereeing principles over flawed technological interventions that continue to spark outrage and undermine the game.