Former Premier League referee Kevin Hackett has called for Lee Mason to retire at the end of the season following his poor performance during Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Magpies were completely outplayed by last season’s Premier League champions as they bowed out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring from the spot and Raheem Sterling netting the decider in the second half.
However, the visitors needed the help of VAR after the man in the middle missed a push by Fabian Schar on Gabriel Jesus, which the Belgian dispatched.
Hackett was not impressed one bit and explained his reasons why he believes Mason should hang up his whistle once the current campaign draws to a close.
Was Lee Mason the reason why Newcastle lost?
Yes
No
“Lee Mason was out of position and failed to detect a big push by a Newcastle United defender in the penalty area, he was dragged out of the mire by Andre Mariner who has acting as VAR,” he told Football Insider.
“I do think this referee should call his last season in the middle. Lee Mason is the longest-serving referee on the panel and dare I say it’s about application and reading the game.
Hackett added that Mason was completely detached from play and it is time that young referees had the chance to replace the likes of him at the elite level.
Newcastle can have no complaints in the manner that they were knocked out of the competition. From the first minute to the last. Completely outplayed and dominated.
Regardless of what Hackett says, it does not excuse the fact that it was a heavily one-sided affair.