Exclusive: Premier League ‘fraught with danger’ after Palmer’s Chelsea interview
Premier League rule changes ahead of next season are asking for trouble after Cole Palmer’s latest Chelsea interview, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that broadcasters could implement a delay in interviews going live to avoid expletives going out on live television.
Touchline interviews with substituted players are set to be implemented ahead of the 2025/26 campaign [The Telegraph], with cameras even being allowed in dressing rooms during a matchday.
Many supporters have concerns over the new additions, with Hackett already citing Rodrigo Bentancur’s outburst against Man City in May 2024, and a new reason may have just emerged from America.
Cole Palmer’s emotions on show after Chelsea win
Palmer stole the show in the Blues’ surprise 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final on Sunday, 13 July, bagging a brace against Gianluigi Donnarumma before setting up Joao Pedro’s goal.
Maresca had been under tremendous pressure for much of the 2024/25 campaign, but the Blues have now secured Champions League football, won the Europa Conference League, and lifted the Club World Cup trophy.
Luis Enrique’s frustrations were clear at full-time, lashing out at Pedro in the centre-circle, but the majority of the Chelsea stars remained calm before Reece James lifted the title at the MetLife Stadium.
Before the celebrations began, Palmer was pulled aside by DAZN for a post-match interview, in which he used an expletive on live television, and Hackett has already stated that neither he nor Chelsea should face punishment.
That being said, it has raised new concerns over player interviews in the Premier League next season.
Premier League playing with fire ahead of next season
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “As a young guy, to get these accolades in front of a world audience, preparing to attack and defend, I think he’s the best English player we’ve seen in years.
“It’s fraught with danger. As a broadcaster, they need to study how they’re going to use these interviews in the Premier League, and including a seven-second delay is easy to add.
“Nine times out of ten, when a player is subbed, they’re frustrated. We’re going to get that problem, aren’t we? He won’t say, ‘Thank you very much, I’m really happy’, is he?”