PL dismiss Hull concerns over TV replays

The Premier League say TV replays were not used by referee Steve Bennett's in overturning a penalty decision during Aston Villa's win at Hull City.

Bennett initially pointed to the spot in injury time for an apparent handball by Villa's Ashley Young.

Bennett, however, changed his mind after consultation with his assistant Andy Halliday, the pair correctly agreeing the ball had struck the crossbar and not Young's raised arm.

There have since been claims a third party could have used video replays and then advised the officials of the correct decision via their earpieces, in contravention of Premier League rules.

A Premier League spokesman said: "(Referees chief) Keith Hackett has spoken to Steve Bennett and the other match officials and what is absolutely clear is the decision was made between the assistant referee and the referee."

Additionally, the Premier League have also pointed out that video screens have now been removed from technical areas as part of the 'Get on with the Game' initiative and replays cannot be seen.

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen had called for the matter to be investigated.

Duffen has no problems over Bennett's final decision but has raised questions about the way at which it was reached.