Ex-PGMOL chief gives verdict after claims Mo Salah’s penalty vs Burnley shouldn’t have stood

In response, a former PGMOL official weighed in on the controversy, offering clarity on the decision.

Despite investing over £400 million in new talent—including Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz—Arne Slot’s Liverpool side has yet to hit their stride in the 2025/26 season.

Though they cruised to the title last year, their current form suggests a far more challenging campaign ahead.

Liverpool’s knack for late winners has become a pattern: scoring in the 88th minute against Bournemouth, the 100th against Newcastle, the 83rd versus Arsenal, and now the 95th against Burnley.

Salah was once again the hero, but questions linger over the legitimacy of his penalty.

In the final moments at Turf Moor, with the match seemingly headed for a draw, Jeremie Frimpong’s cross struck the outstretched arm of Hannibal Mejbri, formerly of Manchester United. Referee Michael Oliver deemed the handball clear and awarded the penalty.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher faced backlash for his harsh commentary, referring to Hannibal’s action as a “brain dead” mistake and a “moment of madness” during the closing stages of Sunday’s encounter.

“Burnley don’t deserve that,” the ex-Liverpool defender said. “Brain dead. It’s a moment of madness! What is he doing?”

Carragher’s remarks aside, Liverpool were given the gilt-edged chance to secure all three points on away soil – but was Salah’s attempt, which was rifled past Dubravka with intent, illegal?

There are plenty of fans online that believe after it appeared that Frimpong entered the box before the penalty had been taken.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL and FIFA figure Keith Hackett said:

“At the time, I didn’t know the law had changed, and I picked up all the law changes,” Hackett said before claiming that Oliver is among the best officials the Premier League has to offer.

“This is Michael Oliver, who is world-class and probably our No.1 official. He allows it to happen, and there’s no intervention from VAR. I was really surprised.

The updated rule that Keith Hackett highlights states that for a goal to be overturned due to encroachment, the offending player—Frimpong in this instance—must interfere with the goalkeeper’s ability to make a save.

Hackett, now 81, expressed his astonishment at referee Michael Oliver’s swift judgment but clarified that although Frimpong entered the box ahead of Salah, who is considered among the elite in global football, the current laws protect him from punishment since he had no influence on the outcome of the penalty.

“He [Frimpong] had really gone into the penalty area, and that should have resulted in a changed decision. With encroachment from an attacking player, if a goal is scored, what the referee has to judge is the impact that the player has had on the goalkeeper.

“Michael Oliver has judged that Frimpong’s movement has not impacted the goalkeeper, and, therefore, he allows the goal,” Hackett added before explaining why Oliver didn’t ask Salah to re-take his spot kick.

“That’s the law. It did surprise me. The subjectivity is whether there’s an impact.”

He continued: “This is the matrix produced from penalty kicks. Frimpong, probably because he’s out to the right and not in the centre, so he’s not impacting the goalkeeper, is why the goal was allowed to stand.”