The officiating during Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham has come under intense scrutiny, with former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett suggesting that Craig Pawson’s hesitant performance could have easily incited a mass confrontation.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett analyzed social media footage of the clash at the Stadium of Light, concluding that the veteran official lacked the necessary confidence to manage a high-pressure environment. The match, played on Sunday, 22 February, saw the Cottagers claim a decisive victory behind a Raul Jimenez brace—including a successful penalty—and an Alex Iwobi strike, while Enzo Le Fee’s penalty provided a mere consolation for the Black Cats.
The Flashpoint at the Stadium of Light
The primary source of controversy occurred while the match remained deadlocked at 0-0. In a chaotic sequence, Jimenez appeared to bundle over Sunderland’s Angulo inside the penalty area. Before the situation could be resolved, Fulham defender Joachim Andersen arrived on the scene and appeared to kick the downed Sunderland player. Despite the physical nature of the exchange, Pawson ultimately awarded a free-kick to the visitors, a decision that left the home crowd incensed.
Hackett was quick to point out that Pawson missed a fundamental opportunity to defuse the tension. He argued that the “learning point” for any official is to recognize when a situation is becoming volatile and to act decisively to prevent it from boiling over into a brawl.
Hackett’s Advice on “Selling” Decisions
Reflecting on the incident, Hackett shared the wisdom typically passed down to developing officials to help them navigate “grey area” moments.
“The learning point is blow the whistle early, and give a foul to the defence. If there’s any doubt, like a throw-in, goal-kick or corner, you go for the easy, common-sense option. Give it to the defence. That’s what we were all taught as young referees. That’ll get you out of jail. Half the supporters will be against you, but just sell it.”
Hackett noted that despite Pawson’s vast experience, he appeared too passive in a moment that demanded authority. He highlighted that leaving a player on the turf without a whistle is a primary “trigger” for mass confrontations, as teammates often rush in to defend their fallen colleague.
Social Media Backlash and Fan Frustration
Unsurprisingly, the reaction from the Sunderland faithful was far from positive. Pawson is currently weathering a storm of online criticism, with many pointing to the inconsistency of the penalty area incident as a turning point in the match’s emotional temperature.
While it is rare for any fanbase to walk away from a Premier League weekend entirely satisfied with the officiating, the consensus following the Fulham-Sunderland tie is that Pawson’s performance gave supporters genuine cause for complaint. In a modern era defined by VAR and micro-analysis, the “common-sense” approach advocated by Hackett remains a point of contention for those who feel the game is losing its grip on traditional game management.
