'Let down on this occasion by VAR' : Former PL referee disappointed by decision on Lisandro Martinez's tackle

In the last moments of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Lisandro Martinez, a defender for Manchester United, caught Cole Palmer using a raking tackle and avoided being sent off. Lisandro Martinez may have terminated Cole Palmer's career with a tackle that should be "outlawed," according to former Premier League referee Keith Hackett.

In the closing moments of Manchester United's 1-1 tie with Chelsea on Sunday, Martinez ripped down Palmer's leg with his studs. Palmer, a brilliant player for England, flicked the ball past Martinez, who retaliated by slashing out.

The former Premier League referee wrote on Telegraph that, "The landing area of the boot was on Palmer's knee and quite clearly it endangered the player's safety. Referee Rob Jones was in a good position to view the incident and decided yellow. He probably concluded that there was insufficient force behind Martinez's challenger to warrant a stronger sanction.”

He added, "That for me was a clear and obvious error and VAR should have asked the referee to go and review the incident on the pitch-side monitor. We have seen a lot of yellow cards this season but the laws, which were penned to protect players by issuing red cards, should be enforced when appropriate."

After the final whistle went at Old Trafford, the Premier League released a statement on social media regarding the decision as they said, "The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Palmer. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming that it was a reckless challenge."

“Let down on this occasion by VAR” : Keith Hackett

The former Premier League referee then added that the VAR let everyone down with that decision as he said, "It was the type of tackle that can end a player's career. The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd should be more rigorous in enforcing this policy," he declared.

He concluded by adding that, "Jones has had his career enhanced this season by taking charge of some big matches and this game at Old Trafford was probably his biggest yet, but he has been let down on this occasion by VAR."