Ex-Fifa official: Southampton are ‘cheating fans’ and referees should now be on red alert
Keith Hackett has claimed “fans are being cheated” by Southampton and their unique tactic of stopping play.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted fourth officials need to be wary of Southampton’s tactic as it is giving them an “unfair advantage”.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday (16 February) in 14 of their opening 24 Premier League matches this season, a player has required attention from the physio between the 60th and 70th minute.
That allows the rest of the team to take on energy gels and drinks as well as Ralph Hassenhutl’s tactical instructions.
“For me, there’s an issue,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“There are too many stoppages in games anyway. Fans deserve more in terms of actual playing time. We average 57 minutes and it’s not enough, all this is doing is adding to it.
“It’s a manufactured stoppage and this is crying wolf. This is a tactic that is not allowed in the game of football.
“They are gaining an unfair advantage in re-energising their players by creating an additional stoppage in the game.
“The danger here is a player will actually receive an injury between the 60th and 70th minute.
“The fourth official will now be aware of them preparing for this stoppage. Then he can alert the referee. The referees as a group need to be aware of this.
“Stoppages are used as managers tactically to stop the flow and momentum of games.
“The fans are being cheated because we know fans aren’t adding on sufficient time at the end of the game.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed a Southampton star would fit right in at Arsenal ‘right now’.