Ex-PGMOL chief moots points deduction as Bournemouth player has ‘Christmas off’ after scenes vs Sunderland
Sunderland and Bournemouth could be heavily punished after ugly scenes unfolded at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that one player might have got himself purposely sanctioned on Saturday, 29 November.
Brian Brobbey was the hero for Sunderland during the five-goal thriller, with the Cherries having taken a two-goal lead after just 15 minutes through Amine Adli and Tyler Adams.
Enzo Le Fee hit back with a penalty, with Alex Scott sliding in with a rash challenge, before Bertrand Traore and Brobbey both netted to complete the turnaround. This is when emotions were heightened.
Sunderland and Bournemouth players explode at the Stadium of Light
After the fifth goal, seven yellow cards were dished out by referee Tim Robinson, as well as Lewis Cook receiving his marching orders, making him unavailable until Saturday, 20 December.
Liverpool-linked Antoine Semenyo was one of the players punished, but it was his teammate who will now be suspended for the next three games after an elbow on Noah Sadiki.
Hackett believes this could have been on purpose in order to spend time with family around the Christmas period, also suggesting that the wild scenes could land both clubs in trouble.
The former PGMOL chief has vast experience in dealing with huge bust-ups, and after watching this most recent clash, there is clearly no telling how the authorities could react.
Keith Hackett has experience with huge Premier League bust-ups
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, “I remember around this time of year, players coming up to me saying, ‘Hey Keith, I’m on X-number of yellow cards, and the next one I’ll be suspended. It would be nice to have Christmas off’.
“That’s the cynical bit. These guys are quite happy to fly back to their home countries to celebrate Christmas on the back of a suspension. That’s the cynical side of me; it’s a suspicion.
“Somehow, we’ve got to prevent this escalation. This is where Howard Webb earns his corn, by talking to managers, going with referees into clubs, and talking to the players.
“It’s not easy. Years ago, I faced a 21-man brawl at Old Trafford, with David Seaman staying in his goal. I thought, ‘How many am I going to send off?’
“It suddenly got below seven on one team, and I refused to abandon the game with 53,000 spectators, because that’ll cause problems for the police. Arsenal and Man United were both deducted points.”