Exclusive: Premier League ‘promote conflict’ as Bentancur, Tottenham implosion cited
Premier League rule changes ahead of next season have been slammed in light of a controversial incident involving Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and others.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that he is surprised by the competition deciding to allow interviews to take place with substituted players during the 2025/26 campaign.
Breaking the news, The Telegraph (27 June) shocked supporters by revealing Sky Sports and TNT Sports will be allowed to make contact with players on the touchline, and even be allowed in the dressing room.
While some fans are intrigued by the rule change, getting to see a deeper dive into the team, Hackett has already listed an obvious reason why the Premier League are asking for trouble.
Premier League stars to be interviewed on the touchlines
During Man City’s 2-0 win over Spurs in May 2024, Ange Postecoglou dragged Rodrigo Bentancur off after just 55 minutes, replacing the Uruguayan with Dejan Kulusevski in North London.
With the midfielder already on a yellow card, the manager was taking no chances against Pep Guardiola’s side, but the decision was met by an outburst of emotion from the 28-year-old.
Hackett is in favour of a rule change when it comes to the reviewing of second yellow cards after Willy Gnonto was sent off for Italy Under-21s, but the former PMGOL chief is baffled by this new idea.
Keith Hackett baffed by new rule after Tottenham star’s fallout
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, acknowledging issues over Bentancur’s outburst with a knowing laugh, the former referee went further and said: “It’s asking a lot of the players. Either there’s a lack of understanding, or it’s all about the money, thinking about the financial side rather than the game as a whole.
“I remember refereeing Wolves v QPR years ago, and after 20-odd minutes, Tommy Docherty substitutes Stan Bowles, and he’s taking absolutely no notice. We had great difficulty getting him off – the reaction to players being substituted is usually unhappy.
“I think this rule change promotes conflict, I don’t think it’s going to help the image of the game, and players are not going to be as articulate as they should be. I’m surprised that the Premier League have allowed this to happen.
“I hope clubs begin training with their players to take a little bit of heat away. Broadcasters need to recognise the state of the players’ minds, rather than going hunting, but that’ll be the case because they’ll be more interested in conflict.
“Watch this space. Players are going to receive more fines for comments. Who’s responsible? It’s an open-door policy, and it really feels like a lack of understanding.”