‘It’s against protocol’ – PGMOL expert: Bournemouth could face sanction after ‘reportable’ Crystal Palace incident
Andoni Iraola and his Bournemouth team could be met with more than just two points dropped against Crystal Palace.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Cherries could face being fined after crowding the referee at Selhurst Park.
Jarred Gillett was praised for his performance as the Eagles clawed the game back to 3-3 with a 97th-minute penalty through Jean-Philippe Mateta, who missed a chance in the dying seconds to win it.
Oliver Glasner’s future is uncertain at Selhurst Park. Still, it was his side who fought back against all odds, securing the chance to equalise after Marc Guehi was dragged down inside the penalty area by Bafode Diakite.
Crystal Palace awarded last-minute penalty against Bournemouth
Obviously, Mateta took his opportunity from the penalty spot, but before the Frenchman was allowed to take his spot-kick, the Cherries were incensed by the decision against them.
Several Premier League clubs are interested in Antoine Semenyo, and he was just one of several surrounding Gillett after the referee blew his whistle for a penalty.
The Premier League implemented a ‘captains only’ rule at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, but it is quite clear that referees are already choosing to ignore issuing sanctions to those who surround them.
Gillett decided not to dish out any yellow cards, not even to Diakite, who gave away the penalty in the first place, and Hackett wants to see the players’ actions stamped out of football.
Jarred Gillett fails to sanction players after Selhurst Park controversy
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “It’s against protocol. Even though there’s ‘captains only’, I hope the protocol is that referees being surrounded by three or more players is a reportable scenario.
“That becomes a potential fine for the offending team, and even though they’re big decisions, this must be stopped. As a fan, you get the frustration.
“You want your team to win, but Gillett had a great performance. He understands what is a foul and what isn’t. He’s bang in form, give him the games.”