Exclusive: Post-game sanctions called for after Dorgu ‘cheat’ in Man United win
Keith Hackett has called for changes to be made in football after an incident involving Man United left-back Patrick Dorgu against Athletic Bilbao.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that review panels are needed to help eliminate diving from the game.
Man United secured their place in the Europa League final with a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford on Thursday night (8 May) in the second leg of their semi final tie.
They will now face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao on Wednesday 21 May, with both sides looking to salvage otherwise disastrous campaigns.
The Red Devils had to overcome plenty of pressure to claim that victory over the La Liga side, while Dorgu has found himself under particular scrutiny for his actions.
Patrick Dorgu penalty appeals waved away
With around 21 minutes on the clock and the score locked at 0-0 on the night, Dorgu was denied a penalty for Man United.
The left-back had broken into the Athletic Bilbao penalty area, only to go to ground following a push in the back from Andoni Gorsabel.
| Patrick Dorgu vs Athletic Bilbao | Total (from SofaScore) |
| Accurate Passes | 30/38 |
| Duels Won | 10/19 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/2 |
| Shots on Target | 1 |
| Shots off Target | 0 |
| Clearances | 7 |
Referee Daniel Siebert did not initially award a penalty, and although it was checked, VAR elected not to award an on-field review after seemingly deeming that Dorgu had gone down to easily.
Now, Hackett has called for a retrospective review system to be introduced in order to prevent players from diving in an attempt to win spot kicks in the way the Man United ace did here.
Man United incident prompts calls for change
Speaking to Football Insider about the way in which Dorgu went down as he attempted to win that penalty, Hackett said:
“Football must take action and introduce a post match review panel to interrogate acts of simulation and apply a sanction of suspension if they believe a case can be proven.
“This is one way of preventing players going to ground to easily in an attempt to cheat.”
With Dorgu avoiding a sanction for this incident, he is set to be available for the final for the Red Devils in just under two week’s time.
That could be significant as Man United manager Ruben Amorim looks to ease the pressure on himself at Old Trafford after a difficult start to his reign domestically.