Ex-PGMOL chief: Stoke City and Hull City to face fines after ‘unacceptable’ full-time scenes
Stoke City and Hull City should expect to face sanctions after ugly scenes unfolded between players at the bet365 Stadium.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that both clubs failed to control their players after the full-time whistle.
Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt scored a dramatic winner on the stroke of 90 minutes, completing the comeback for the Tigers after Sorba Thomas opened the scoring with an incredible long-range strike.
Former West Brom defender Semi Ajayi got Mark Robins‘ side back on level terms before the winner, and emotions were clearly high as referee Joshua Smith blew the full-time whistle.
Keith Hackett expects punishments for Stoke City and Hull City
With players at each other’s throats, including one fan coming onto the pitch, the referee booked John Lundstram, Kyle Joseph, and Ashley Phillips before multiple other fights broke out.
Reacting to the footage, Hackett was extremely disappointed by what he saw at the bet365 Stadium, with far too many of these scenes emerging in England this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “We are seeing too many post-match incidents that are unacceptable and will result in both clubs facing a fine under the charge of failing to control their players.”
Hackett expected fines for Newcastle United and Tottenham after the two teams clashed in the Carabao Cup last month, and he has predicted a similar result between Hull and the Potters.
Stoke’s automatic promotion hopes take another hit
Before welcoming the Tigers, Stoke had lost two of their last three games, getting back to winning ways against Charlton Athletic. Yet, Robins’ side struggled to get into gear on Saturday, 29 November.
However, despite the defeat, the Potters remained in the top two promotion spots ahead of the 3pm kick-offs, level on points with Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough.
Both sets of players will be extremely disappointed by their actions after the full-time whistle, but of the two sides, Hull will be much happier after securing an important three points away from home.