Exclusive: Two Sunderland penalties wrong as James Trafford escapes Burnley red

Exclusive: Two Sunderland penalties wrong as James Trafford escapes Burnley red

Sunderland were wrongly awarded two penalties in their draw against Burnley as both were saved by James Trafford from Wilson Isidor, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official criticised the decisions, suggesting that the referee’s assistant should have intervened to clarify that the fouls leading to the penalties should not have resulted in spot kicks.

The first challenge was on Isidor, but he was outside the box when he was brought down by CJ Egan-Riley. The second was a soft challenge from Oliver Sonne on Dennis Cirkin.

Hackett emphasised that better communication between officials was essential to avoid such errors and the linesman should have been able to “advise the referee”.

The Black Cats squandered both late opportunities to take the lead, but the ex-official maintained that the decisions were incorrect. He noted that the referee was fortunate that Trafford’s saves helped mitigate the controversy but suggested the Clarets keeper could have been sent off.

Sunderland failed to capitalise against Burnley

Isidor was entrusted with both penalty opportunities, but the Frenchman failed to convert either, as Trafford’s heroics denied Sunderland a crucial three points.

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Sunderland’s top scorer this season with eight goals, he has been a standout performer and was looking to make an impact alongside new signing Enzo Le Fée. The striker was excited for the potential link-up and the French duo showed promising chemistry. Le Fee created a chance earlier in the match, but Isidor was unable to finish that opportunity either.

Sunderland drawing with Burnley has them in fourth in the Championship.

Had Sunderland secured the victory, they would have leapfrogged Burnley into second place in the Championship table. Instead, the Clarets remain second with 53 points, while Regis Le Bris’ side sit in fourth on 51 points.

While the missed penalties dominated the headlines, former PGMOL chief Hackett underscored the significance of the “wrong” decisions leading to the penalty awards, while Trafford’s time-wasting saw him lucky to stay on the pitch. Hackett exclusively told Football Insider:

“Referee Anthony Backhouse, who has officiated really well, is called upon to make a crucial decision in the 84th minute.

The foul challenge is made on the Sunderland forward, replays showed it was outside the area. The Referee chasing the attack down pointed to the penalty mark.

“It was a wrong decision and one has to ask where was his assistant who should have been positioned on the touchline looking across the field to be able to advise the referee that the foul was OUTSIDE.

“The Burnley goalkeeper was fortunate to not be yellow carded after clearly delaying the restart. The Sunderland player Isidor taking the PK missed, Trafford making a crucial save. The Referee deserved that bit of luck.

“In the 94th minute a challenge by Burnley’s number two saw the referee make another controversial decision. Awarding a second penalty kick to Sunderland.

“This in my opinion was another incorrect call, the Sunderland player going to ground rather easily.

“The Burnley goalkeeper Trafford, this time to delay the restart and apply pressure on the Sunderland player taking the kick, decided that he would indicate that he was suffering from cramp.

“This time the referee recognised what he was doing and rightly yellow carded Trafford for delaying the restart.

“Isidor who had failed on the first penalty kick stepped up again and once again his poor PK was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.”

Le Bris’ side now focus on another away fixture against Derby on 21 January in the Championship.

In other news, Sunderland are confident of keeping this player despite Premier League interest.

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