{"id":774535,"date":"2026-02-19T09:28:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/774535\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T09:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:28:17","slug":"keith-hackett-has-his-say-on-bristol-city-vs-wrexham-handball-controversy-as-footage-re-analysed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/774535\/","title":{"rendered":"Keith Hackett has his say on Bristol City vs Wrexham handball controversy as footage re-analysed"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gerhard<\/p>\n

Credit: Imago, EFL<\/p>\n

\"Oliver <\/p>\n

Thu 19 February 2026 7:30, UK <\/p>\n

Bristol City were rightly denied a penalty in the early stages of their draw against Wrexham on Wednesday despite the ball hitting Dom Hyam\u2019s arm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That is the verdict of former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett<\/a>, who has told Football Insider <\/strong>that the offence was not purposeful by the Wrexham<\/a> defender, so referee Ruebyn Ricardo was right to play on.<\/p>\n

Max Bird rescued a point for Bristol City<\/a> against Wrexham at Ashton Gate, with an 89th-minute stunner as the game ended 2-2.<\/p>\n

Oliver Rathbone\u2019s strike and an own goal from Joe Williams had twice put the Red Dragons into the lead, in between Sinclair Armstrong\u2019s equaliser just after the interval.<\/p>\n

The Robins felt as if they should have been given the chance to go ahead before Wrexham\u2019s first, however, after Mark Sykes\u2019 flick was handled by centre-back Hyam<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Dom Hyam handball did not warrant a Bristol City penalty<\/p>\n

City attacked quickly in the 25th minute as Sykes picked up a flick-on on the edge of the box and tried to move past Hyam to get a shot off.<\/p>\n

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES<\/p>\n

The Wrexham centre-back seemingly used his outstretched arm to block the ball getting past him, with several of the hosts\u2019 players then screaming for a penalty, to no avail.<\/p>\n

Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Hackett believes that, while the ball did strike Hyam\u2019s arm, referee Ricardo was right to wave play on due to it being an accidental offence.<\/p>\n

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider,<\/strong> he said: \u201cI do not believe that this incident should have resulted in a judgement of handball.<\/p>\n

\n

HUGE appeals for handball but nothing is given.#BRCWRE<\/a> \ud83d\udd34 0-0 \ud83d\udc09 [25]<\/p>\n

\u2014 Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

\u201cThe player is not attempting to handle and while the ball came into contact with him his actions were not deliberate\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol City were later denied a clear penalty for Delano Burgzorg trip \u2013 \u2018Wrong decision\u2019<\/p>\n

While Ricardo was correct in not giving the hosts a penalty for Hyam\u2019s handball, he did deny them one that should have been given in the closing stages of the draw at Ashton Gate.<\/p>\n

Burgzorg broke into Wrexham\u2019s half in the 91st minute before going down under a challenge from keeper Okonkwo as he looked to take the ball around him to score.<\/p>\n

The Robins winger was then booked for simulation by Ricardo, but Hackett told Football Insider<\/strong> that he should have pointed to the spot.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIn the Bristol City game, the referee appeared to be well placed, but sadly made the wrong decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe this was a foul by the goalkeeper, and the award of a penalty kick should have resulted.\u201d<\/p>\n