Exclusive: Mayenda dive verdict issued as Sunderland denied penalty in Swansea loss
Sunderland saw claims for a penalty turned down during their defeat to Swansea City, and Keith Hackett has now reacted to those appeals after reviewing the footage.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Eliezer Mayenda could have been punished for diving after going to ground following a challenge from Eom Ji-Sung.
Following results in midweek, the Black Cats are guaranteed a place in the Championship play-offs come the end of this season.
But a 1-0 defeat to Swansea at The Stadium of Light on Saturday (12 April) ensured that form remains mixed at best for Sunderland.
The hosts were also left frustrated late on in that game after being denied a penalty that would have given them the chance to equalise.
Eliezer Mayenda penalty appeals dismissed
After Ben Cabango had fired Swansea in front from close range shortly before the hour-mark, Regis Le Bris‘ side were left to search for an equaliser.
Mayenda has remained at Sunderland despite links with Leeds United, and thought he should have given his side the chance to get that leveller via the penalty spot in the waning minutes of the match.
After receiving the ball inside the opposition penalty area, the attacker looked to turn away from Eom, but went down under the challenge of the Swansea man.
| Sunderland last five games | Result |
| Coventry (A) | Lost 3-0 |
| Millwall (H) | Won 1-0 |
| West Brom (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Norwich (A) | Drew 0-0 |
| Swansea (H) | Lost 1-0 |
Earlier this season, Mayenda was lucky to have a goal allowed to stand in a win for Sunderland over Sheffield Wednesday.
Here though, he would get no such luck, with referee Farai Hallam deciding not to point to the spot, although he also held back from punishing the attacker for diving.
Now Hackett has suggested that the decision not to give a penalty was correct given replays showed contact to be minimal, but has also question why Mayenda was not then booked for diving.
Keith Hackett reacts to Sunderland penalty claims
After being asked by Football Insider whether the 19-year-old should have been given either a penalty or yellow card for diving, the former referee said:
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick and I’ll tell you why, because the player’s rolled the challenge, so actually, when you’re taken by surprise the body mechanics are that you stick your two hands out when you’re tripped to save yourself from falling.
“What is interesting here is that he’s made a twisting movement to go to ground. So if the referee’s not going to award the penalty kick, and I think that’s probably the right thing, then why not caution the player for an act of simulation?
“That’s where referees are not helping themselves and leaving themselves open to the charge that it is a foul.
“The good thing about when incidents take place in that part of the penalty area that you’ve got a double view because you’ve got the referee looking in and you’ve got the assistant referee also looking in.
“So they’re satisfied it’s not a penalty kick, why then not go and caution the player? If they don’t do that, they’ll just never get rid of diving.”
Sunderland will look to get their form back on track ahead of the play-offs with their next outing away at Bristol City on Saturday (18 April).
Swansea meanwhile sit comfortably in mid-table, ahead of their clash with relegation-threatened Hull City on that same day.