Keith Hackett, the former head of PGMOL, has offered his opinion on the contentious Dean Henderson incident from the FA Cup final.
Crystal Palace supporters will always remember the 2024–2025 season. The Eagles won their first major prize as a team in the FA Cup final, defeating Manchester City 1-0. Eberechi Eze completed a deadly counterattack that has come to represent Oliver Glasner’s squad, guaranteeing that Man City will conclude the season without a trophy.
Palace’s victory was historic and guaranteed them their first taste of European football in the 2025–2026 season. Dean Henderson, the number one custodian for Palace, had an amazing game, making a couple of outstanding saves and rejecting Omar Marmoush from the penalty spot.
However, the goalie was really lucky to have played for ninety minutes. Henderson shut down Erling Haaland by handling the ball outside of his zone. Although the referees determined that the ball was travelling away from the goal, Henderson might have been accused of denying a clean goal-scoring opportunity by touching the ball.
According to Football Insider, retired referee Keith Hackett, who officiated games at all levels for more than thirty years, has now expressed his thoughts on what transpired.
“Unsporting Conduct”
Hackett considers the event from the last
In his discussion of the game, Hackett pointed out that a number of elements determine a goal-scoring opportunity. It would therefore be advantageous for Henderson if Haaland moved away from the goal in his movement. However, the fact that he handled the ball outside of his region still stands. Hackett stated:
The following factors must be taken into account when denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The distance between the goal and the offensive, the overall course of the play, the chance of retaining or regaining possession of the ball, and the position and quantity of defenders.
Regardless of the incident’s location, the play was often directed away from the goal, therefore a clear goal-scoring opportunity was not missed. Handling outside the penalty area, however, ought to result in a straight free kick and a yellow card for unsporting behaviour if it is proven.
Regardless of whether Henderson’s actions were deliberate or not, he should have at least been given a direct free-kick, as Hackett stated. Naturally, Palace won’t think much about this after such a significant victory, but Pep Guardiola was clearly irritated by the choice.
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