‘An act of simulation’ – PGMOL expert slams Peterborough’s Declan Frith as Cardiff footage analysed
Declan Frith has been accused of committing an ‘act of simulation’ by a PGMOL insider in Peterborough’s curtain raiser against Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds endured relegation from the Championship last season, and the situation surrounding the club is a worrying one.
11 players have departed this summer, including Aaron Ramsey, who has joined Pumas in Mexico, and icon Joe Ralls, who left after 14 years in the senior set-up at Cardiff.
Despite the exodus, there have been no incomings at the club, and the main talking point this summer has been Gareth Bale’s bid to buy the club from Vincent Tan.
Heading into their first game as a League One side in 22 years, things were already looking grim for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, and a decision by referee Ben Speedie only exacerbated matters.
Peterborough awarded penalty after Will Fish challenge
Cardiff’s opening match of the 2025/26 League One campaign took place at their home ground, the Cardiff City Stadium, at 12.30 pm on Saturday, 2 August.
With half an hour gone in a fairly nervy match-up, the Posh intercepted a loose pass from Will Fish on the halfway line and broke quickly.
In a flash, the ball pinged from Frith to striker Bradley Ihionvien, who was fouled by Dylan Lawlor, before Peterborough’s number 11 grabbed the loose ball and drove into the box.
Twisting and turning, the 23-year-old looked to glide past Fish, before the centre-back stuck a leg out.
Thankful for the invitation to go to ground, Frith appeared to exaggerate his fall and tumbled to the ground, with Speedie blowing his whistle and pointing to the spot.
Ex-FIFA referee analyses Peterborough penalty incident
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-PGMOL chief explained why he was convinced the referee should not have awarded a penalty: “In the build-up of the play, there is a clear foul inside the ‘D’, the ball then rolls to an attacker who goes to ground, with the referee judging that the second challenge was a foul and awards a penalty kick.
“The referee, judging that the defenders challenge was careless, points to the penalty spot.
“Frankly, the attacker has been very clever and rather fortunate to be awarded a penalty kick.
“The forward, in my opinion, is looking for contact. Not a penalty for me, I judge it as an act of simulation.
“The referee, having judged that the challenge was careless, is the reason no yellow card is issued”