Ex-PGMOL Chief Calls For Rule Change After Bruno Fernandes Penalty Drama.

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has urged the Premier League to address what he described as a “gap” in the rules following Bruno Fernandes’ missed penalty against Brentford. The Manchester United captain failed to convert from the spot in a pivotal moment, leaving Hackett to argue that referees must be given clearer guidance to prevent unnecessary delays during such high-pressure situations.

The incident occurred at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, 27 September, with United trailing 2-1. Nathan Collins was penalised for pulling Bryan Mbeumo’s shirt, handing Fernandes the chance to level the game from 12 yards. However, what followed sparked fresh debate over fairness in penalty-taking.

Before Fernandes could step up, Brentford made substitutions, introducing Keane Lewis-Potter and Rico Henry. The changes came after a lengthy VAR review of the foul, leaving Fernandes waiting even longer before Craig Pawson eventually blew the whistle. The added delay seemed to rattle the Portuguese midfielder, whose tame effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The miss proved costly for Manchester United. While Benjamin Sesko had earlier pulled one back after Igor Thiago’s brace, Brentford wrapped up the win late on when Mathias Jensen struck their third. United’s struggles deepened, and although Matt Le Tissier was critical of manager Ruben Amorim’s position, Hackett’s focus remained on the rules that framed Fernandes’ failed penalty attempt.

Speaking exclusively after the match, Hackett explained that such situations create unfair psychological pressure on the taker. “Substitutions have been made on the basis of applying indirect pressure on the kicker. Any delay in the taking of a penalty, psychologically, increases the tension in that player,” he said. “It affects concentration too, which is probably a bigger issue in terms of focus.”

Hackett proposed that referees should not allow substitutions once a penalty has been awarded until the kick is completed. He warned that the current rules leave too much room for gamesmanship, including the possibility of teams bringing on specialist goalkeepers just before a spot-kick. In his view, such tactics distort the fairness of the game.

He concluded by insisting on a simple amendment: “Once a penalty kick has been awarded, no substitutions until that penalty kick has been taken and is concluded. For now, though, subs will take place and there will be a delay.” Whether Howard Webb and the PGMOL take action remains to be seen, but the Fernandes incident has once again highlighted the fine margins that can decide a match.