Hull demand investigation into penalty

English Premier League newcomers Hull want an investigation into claims a third party prompted referee Steve Bennett to overturn a late penalty he had awarded in Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Bennett initially awarded Hull the injury-time spot-kick in the belief Ashley Young had handled the ball on the line, but changed his mind after talking to his assistant Andy Halliday, who correctly told him the ball had struck the bar.

However, chairman Paul Duffen wants an investigation into claims a third party illegally used video replays and the officials' earpieces to advise them.

“All we are saying is that the events bring into question who exactly did influence the referee,” Duffen told the Daily Mail.

“I would like a report from the match officials and confirmation of who was talking in the earpiece. There is a concern that somebody (else) was using video evidence.”

Premier League rules do not allow third party influence or the use of video replays.

Duffen said he had spoken to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore, who “assured me he will ask some questions and come back to me.”

He added: “We are most concerned about the integrity of the competition and that some form of video evidence isn't being introduced by officials on a discretionary basis.”

A Premier League spokesman told the Mail that video screens have been removed from technical areas so that replays cannot be seen.

“The assistant communicated with Steve Bennett his view of the incident and as a result of that he has made the correct decision,” the spokesman said. “As part of the 'Get on with the Game' programme, screens have been removed from the technical area so there is no access to video replays.”