Keith Hackett: ‘Cheat’ Cody Gakpo should be banned as Liverpool footage re-analysed
The FA should be looking at suspending players after Cody Gakpo tricked the referee in Liverpool’s draw with Burnley at Anfield.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Andy Madley bought a dive from Liverpool’s No.18 on Saturday, 17 January.
Florian Wirtz was Arne Slot’s star during the 1-1 draw, with the Clarets hitting back through Marcus Edwards, and the Reds unable to find a winner against the team 19th in the Premier League table.
Slot is under growing pressure on Merseyside, especially now that Xabi Alonso is available, and the disappointing draw against the Clarets will do nothing to help his cause.
Andy Madley falls for an act of simulation from Cody Gakpo
His side did have a chance to take an early lead, though, as Gakpo appeared to be bundled over in the penalty area by Florentino Luis after 31 minutes, but Premier League fans were not sold by the decision.
Upon closer inspection, the Dutchman did go to ground very easily, with many saying that Dominik Szoboszlai‘s hitting the crossbar from the spot was justice after the penalty was given.
The Reds did only need another 10 minutes before taking the lead, but had they taken their chance from 12 yards, it would have been even more of a controversial talking point.
Agreeing that it was a blatant dive from the Liverpool star, the former head of the PGMOL has charged ahead with his calls for a review panel, taking a look at the weekend’s acts of simulation.
Keith Hackett calls for retrospective punishment after Liverpool penalty
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “This is a dive, and not a very good one. No way is this a penalty, and it’s not even a clever one.
“Next, you really start to question the match official, and what he’s seen, and also what VAR are doing to allow him to get to that decision.
“This was nowhere near a penalty. There are acts of simulation where players are really good, fooling referees, and you need a few replays to rule it out.
“This is why I’ve said we need a panel on a Monday, with a view to suspensions for players trying to cheat. We all want to win, but let’s win properly.”