Ex-PGMOL Chief Gives Verdict on Dan Ballard’s Disallowed Goal Against Brentford
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has now delivered his definitive verdict on the controversial VAR decision that ruled out Dan Ballard’s goal in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Brentford — and his conclusion has sparked fierce debate among Black Cats fans .
The Controversy That Has Sunderland Fans Fuming
Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday was overshadowed by a major VAR controversy that left Black Cats fans furious . Dan Ballard thought he had given his side the lead in the eighth minute with a superb left-footed volley, only for the goal to be ruled out after a lengthy VAR check .
The review lasted nearly five minutes, with referee Thomas Bramall eventually ruling that debutant Kevin Danso had interfered with Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s line of sight from an offside position . The delay caused audible frustration inside the stadium, particularly among visiting Sunderland supporters who let their irritation be known .
Now, former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has now cast his verdict on the decision — and his conclusion has divided opinion among Sunderland fans .
What Hackett Has Now Said
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett supported VAR’s check of the goal, arguing that Kelleher may have saved the shot had he been able to see it .
“I think this is clearly the correct judgment to rule that the player in an offside position has interfered with his opponent,” Hackett said .
He continued: “And when we look at that clip, we have to look at saying about the goalkeeper, ‘Could he have moved?’ Yes, he could. But the reality is that he was unable to see the ball and the feet when that kick was taken, and we’re talking about fractions of a second here” .
“In the application of the law, the match officials were correct in ruling this goal out for interfering with an opponent. Distance sometimes plays a part” .
“Had the goalkeeper had the vision that he ought to have had, then in that situation, he may have made a save, but he didn’t. He’s no chance of seeing it; his pathway is blocked by the player who’s in an offside position, so I think that was a relatively easy decision” .
The Player’s Reaction
Kevin Danso, who was at the centre of the controversy on his debut, accepted the decision despite doubting whether his position had affected the goalkeeper .
“I didn’t know where the ball was. I’ve just made a run into the box. I don’t think I made any difference to him, but at the end of the day, it’s the referee’s decision,” Danso said .
“We respect that. We get on with the game. We’re professionals and sometimes decisions will go against us and sometimes good decisions will go our way. That’s just part of football” .
Danso also made a bold prediction about Sunderland’s season, believing the Black Cats will be “tough to beat” if they maintain the level shown during his debut .
The Fans’ Reaction
Sunderland fans have been quick to react to Hackett’s verdict. One fan wrote: “Four minutes to decide that? VAR is a joke. Hackett is wrong on this one.”
Another added: “Danso was blocking the keeper. That’s the right call. Frustrating but correct.”
A third posted: “Hackett is spot on. The law is the law. It’s just frustrating that it took so long.”
Some fans have also pointed to the inconsistency in officiating, noting that Brian Brobbey arguably should have had a penalty in the first half after being dragged down in the box .
The Manager’s Verdict
Régis Le Bris was philosophical about the decision, questioning why such a lengthy VAR examination had been necessary if the eventual offside judgement was sufficiently clear .
“It’s a shame because if you need four and a half minutes to make your decision, it means that you are hesitating,” Le Bris said . “So it wasn’t a decision for us. It is what it is” .
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, meanwhile, praised the tactical battle between the two sides, describing it as a “proper game” and “what the Premier League is all about” . He also respected the decision to disallow Ballard’s goal, saying: “It’s always tough. We respect the decision” .
The Bigger Picture
The disallowed goal was not the only VAR controversy of the match. Brentford had a second-half goal ruled out after Jaidon Anthony’s scrappy finish was disallowed because the ball had been knocked out of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs’ hands in the build-up .
Sunderland also had a penalty shout turned down when Brian Brobbey was dragged down in the box, with fans and pundits questioning why VAR did not intervene .
The Premier League has seen a flurry of amendments to the rules for the new season, all designed to speed up the game and limit the number of VAR interventions . However, the lengthy review for Ballard’s goal undermined the supposed efficiency of the new system.
What This Means for Sunderland
Sunderland had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Brentford, with Enzo Le Fée scoring a late penalty to salvage a point after Vitaly Janelt had given the hosts the lead . The Black Cats had dominated the first half, creating four big chances and hitting the post .
The disallowed goal proved costly, with Sunderland’s expected goals suggesting they should have won the match. Régis Le Bris praised his side’s attacking display, calling it their best of the season .
Le Bris also praised debutant Kevin Danso, saying: “He brings authority and physicality. In this league, if you don’t have this quality, it’s hard to manage long balls” .
The Verdict
Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has now cast a clear verdict on the controversial VAR decision in Sunderland’s draw at Brentford, concluding that the officials made the correct call in ruling out Dan Ballard’s goal .
The decision has sparked fierce debate among Sunderland fans, but Hackett’s verdict suggests the officials applied the law correctly. However, the nearly five-minute delay has raised questions about the efficiency of VAR and the inconsistency of officiating in the Premier League .
One thing is certain: Sunderland fans will be watching officials closely for the rest of the season.