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Jamie Redknapp calls for Premier League rule change after Chelsea moment vs Nottingham Forest

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports
Jamie Redknapp calls for Premier League rule change -Credit:(Image: Sky Sports.)


Jamie Redknapp has urged the Premier League to reconsider their rules regarding jostling in the penalty area following an incident during Chelsea's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. This call comes after Nicolas Jackson, who netted the winning goal eight minutes before the final whistle, was controversially denied a penalty.

As the first half was drawing to a close, with both teams level at 1-1, the Blues had a corner and a chance to go ahead. Jackson was poised for a delivery within the six-yard box but found himself constantly wrestling with Ola Aina, who held onto the forward with enough force to bring him down, prompting the striker to appeal for a spot-kick.

However, referee Tony Harrington dismissed the penalty claims and VAR official Michael Salisbury saw no sufficient grounds to reverse the decision on the pitch. Redknapp expressed his frustration at the decision, arguing that the existing rules are inadequate.

With Ben White recently stealing the headlines for his behaviour during set-pieces, the former Liverpool midfielder called on the Premier League to review their rules and award more penalties for such violations. Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: "I don't know why he is getting involved with pushing and pulling him.

"Just leave him alone and try and defend. As soon as you grab and pull him to the floor like that, you are risking of giving away a penalty. The rules at the moment are almost in the favour of the defenders. I think something has to change about that next year. We see it too often with players pulling people and blocking people. I am not a massive fan of it."

Rule 12 of the FA's laws of the game state that a foul should be awarded if the defender impedes the attacker. The regulation reads: "Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent's path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player."

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Neither the referee nor VAR thought that Aina impeded Jackson per the official rules, but Redknapp rejected the idea that a penalty should not have been given and called for the regulations to be rewritten in accordance.

Chelsea were able to secure three points without a chance to score from 12 yards, however, as Jackson scored the winner from Reece James' cross after Raheem Sterling cancelled out Callum Hudson-Odoi's curling effort in the second half.