BOLTON referee Mark Halsey's controversial decisions during Sunday's Premiership clash between Aston Villa and Arsenal have been endorsed by referee supremo Keith Hackett.

Villa boss David O'Leary criticised Halsey for allowing Thierry Henry to take the quick free-kick which resulted in Arsenal's first goal, and was also unhappy about the penalty awarded after Kanu had been blocked by Olof Mellberg.

However, Hackett, the acting spokesman for the Premier League refereeing body, has explained how Halsey got both decisions correct.

"According to the laws of the game if a player asks the referee if he can take a quick free-kick then the official can allow him to do that, and so everything Mark Halsey did around that free-kick was correct," Hackett said.

"Henry was entitled to make a choice and the choice he made was to take a quick free- kick, which was within the laws of the game. The simple fact was, it worked to his advantage.

"What is interesting is that I remember a few years ago in a match between Leeds and Arsenal a very similar incident occurred when Leeds scored from a quickly taken free- kick when Jeff Winter was the referee - and the manager at the time of the team who benefited was none other than David O'Leary.

"With regard to the second goal, something which also needs to be pointed out is the fact that the word 'obstruction' no longer appears in the laws of the game, it was taken out some years ago.

"Instead the laws state that if a player has been unfairly impeded then the referee can award a direct free-kick. That was what happened on this occasion, the referee judged that impeding had taken place, and as the incident was inside the 18-yard box it had to be a penalty."

Hackett is the man responsible for a change in attitude by referees in recent weeks and he explained: "I am trying to promote a greater understanding and public awareness of the laws of the game. I am happy for referees to clarify points of law so that people understand them.

"I am giving refereeing back to referees and have told them I want them to get the major decisions correct and to be pro-actively managing players and informing players.

"By them seeing a human side to referees and a pro-active side then they will respond in a positive manner toward referees.

"The reduction of yellow cards is also positive for players and fans alike as the public want to see a game of football, not a game of war, and let's hope we keep it up."