Keith Hackett

Sat 26 February 2022 19:00, UK

The FA and the Premier League must initiate a “summer clampdown” on players surrounding officials after the latest incident involving Man United.

That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider about a “growing problem” in the English game.

The FA confirmed on Tuesday (22 February) that Man United have been fined £20,000 after admitting a charge of “failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” against Brighton earlier this month.

The incident occurred when the Red Devils players took offence to Lewis Dunk’s challenge on Anthony Elanga – with Bruno Fernandes booked for his protests.

Hackett insisted he wants to see “courageous” referees booking as many as three players in quick succession if there is a breach of the rules in future.

He told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley: “I think the predicament that football has is actually related to the impact of any financial penalty.

“Richard Scudamore was the old CEO of the league. He came up with a promotion: ‘Get on with the ref, get on with the game, get on with each other.’

“The principle was that a fine of up to a quarter of a million pounds could be given out for incidents like this. The captains and chairmen of the clubs had signed off on this promotion.

“The first baseline is that the referee isn’t doing his job. The players are taking advantage of weak refereeing.

“The fine is hardly a deterrent, but what could be is a courageous referee going bang, bang, bang. Dishing out three yellow cards to the players surrounding him.

“A lot of people will say you can’t have a clampdown at this point in the season, so maybe this is one for the summer.

“The Premier League must be concerned about the damaging image that comes from the players surrounding referees like this. It’s a growing problem.”

In other news, pundit predicts Man United may have the new Phil Foden in the Old Trafford ranks after confirmed news.