Credit: Imago / TNT Sports
Thu 18 December 2025 21:56, UK
VAR was spot-on to deny Crystal Palace during their Europa Conference League clash against KuPS on Thursday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Igal Frid was right not to cave to Christantus Uche‘s claims on 18 December.
The Eagles went 1-0 up as Uche continued his fine scoring form, and the Premier League club could have secured their spot in the round of 16 from the penalty spot, but it was not to be.
In the 43rd minute, the 22-year-old forward was crying out for a penalty, along with the majority of supporters inside Selhurst Park, before the Eagles went 2-1 down in the second half.
Credit: ImagoKeith Hackett lauds VAR as Crystal Palace denied a penalty
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Whilst the ball came into contact with the defender, it is clear that there is no deliberate action to handle the ball.
“The match officials have made the correct decision, and I’m not surprised that the VAR check was speedy. There is no way that the action was deliberate. The ball struck him, hence no deliberate handball.”
It was the first of two incidents of the striker wanting a penalty, but the second was a clear dive, and after watching replays, he might have been fortunate not to pick up a booking himself.
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Glasner’s side were recently caught up in drama against Brighton, with Hackett wanting Georginio Rutter banned after diving against Palace, and fans will feel hard done by once again.
Oliver Glasner’s side salvage important European result
It looked like it would take a miracle for the Eagles to get anything out of the game after KuPS went 2-1 up, but even with an equaliser, they were thrown into the play-off spots.
Given the injury crisis at Selhurst Park, with Daniel Munoz one of the latest crushing blows, more games for any of his players is a frustrating addition to the season, with Premier League ambitions in mind.
The Eagles are currently fifth in the Premier League table after five games, just two points outside of the Champions League spots, with multiple teams joining the race in 2025-26.