Ex-Premier League referee ‘expects’ Man City to be hit with new FA charge after what he saw
Keith Hackett has insisted he is expecting Man City to be charged after players surrounded referee Andy Madley on a number of occasions during their 1-0 loss against Tottenham on Sunday (5 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Madley was “weak” and should have started issuing cautions to stamp out poor behaviour from City stars.
Man City stars surrounded referee Madley frequently in search of favourable decisions in the second half as Pep Guardiola’s side grew increasingly desperate for an equaliser against Tottenham.
The Premier League champions saw a number of penalty appeals waved away but were handed a lifeline with minutes remaining when Spurs defender Cristian Romero was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Arsenal were charged twice and fined £40,000 by the FA after failing to control their players in games against Newcastle United and Oxford United last month.
Fellow top-flight clubs Aston Villa and Fulham have also been cited for similar offences in recent weeks.
Following the loss, Man City remain five points adrift of league leaders Arsenal having played a game more than their rivals.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I thought the referee was weak.
“Ultimately, if he comes in early and gives a yellow card – that stops this. Pull the captain aside and use him to stop it from happening.
“The City players were questioning every decision, surrounding the referee.
“I am expecting the FA to charge them with failing to control their players.
“The referee has to submit a report to say he was surrounded by more than three players. It was ridiculous and it happened on a number of occasions.
“He’s got to use stronger body language to stamp it out on the pitch.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Man City fear Rodri could push for summer exit.