Joe Hart exploded on live TV after the referee wiped out Marc Cucurella’s goal in the Spain‑Austria Round‑of‑32 clash at the World Cup. The former England and Manchester City stopper said the soft infringement would have seen Premier League keepers "throwing their food and drink at the TV".
Spain still marched on, ringing the net three times – Mikel Oyarzabal twice and a header from Tottenham’s Pedro Porro – to seal a 3-0 passage to the last 16. But the disallowed Cucurella strike, ruled out for an alleged foul on the Austrian keeper, could have made the win look even neater for Luis de la Fuentе’s side.
The call came at 0-0, looked marginal and was promptly sent to VAR, which upheld the decision. Hart, alongside his BBC colleagues, set about tearing it apart, pointing out the huge gap between what is tolerated on the World Cup stage and what Premier League referees allowed last season.
"There are going to be Premier League goalkeepers throwing their food and drink at the TV," he blurted. "What’s gone in the Premier League this season, for this to be disallowed? It is really soft, it is just people challenging for the ball."
He went on to concede a point – a genuine challenge can see a hand knocked away – but insisted the Spanish defender’s strike was an "innocent challenge".
Why does the call matter for Premier League keepers?
Hart’s gripe isn’t just about a single goal; it highlights a double standard that Premier League keepers face. Last season, similar soft challenges often resulted in goal‑mouths being upheld. If world‑stage officials start enforcing stricter standards, the Premier League might see a shift in how referees handle goalmouth scrambles.
Will Hart’s warning make fans scream at their screens?
Yes – Ugandan fans tuning in to the World Cup will likely echo Hart’s sentiment, especially when another marginal call decides a match. Expect plenty of kitchen‑table debates.
Watch the Highlights
Source: Mirror
