Keith Hackett wants FA procedures to change after James McClean incident in Wrexham loss vs Swansea
The FA should start banning players retrospectively if found guilty of simulation on the pitch following James McClean’s ban for kicking out at Swansea City’s Ronald.
That is according to ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that he is pleased to see the right decision reached regarding McClean, but players who feign injury should also receive similar punishments.
McClean has been a divisive figure among supporters for his conduct on and off the pitch throughout the years he has played in English football.
Last season, McClean was involved in a confrontation with Shrewsbury Town fans, only a few months after he had hit out at Birmingham supporters on social media.
Wrexham‘s recent promotion to the Championship has thrust him to the forefront of opposition fans’ minds in the last few months too, especially after he punched a Cardiff City fan in self-defence before their October clash.
McClean is never too far from controversy, and a new saga has ensued over the last week after he was caught kicking out at Swansea forward Ronald during their league meeting last Friday.
McClean has received a three-match ban for unseen Swansea incident
Wrexham’s lofty ambitions have taken a hit this season as they struggle to find form in the Championship following their promotion from League One.
Phil Parkinson‘s side faced their Welsh rivals Swansea last week as they aimed to end their four-game winless streak, but suffered a crushing loss as their summer signing from Celtic, Adam Idah, scored late on to win it 2-1 for Vitor Matos’ men.
36-year-old McClean let his frustrations get the better of him following that goal, as he was seen to kick out at Swansea’s Ronald in the 94th minute after the Brazilian winger had tackled him to put the ball out for a corner.
The incident was not spotted by any officials, as it was near the corner flag with the assistant referee on the other side of the pitch, but McClean has subsequently been banned for three matches after admitting a charge of violent conduct to the FA.
Hackett backs McClean ban but calls for similar action after acts of simulation
The former Republic of Ireland international has made 18 appearances this season, but will now miss Wrexham’s upcoming games against Sheffield United, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.
His actions constituted violent conduct, which is why the FA have acted retrospectively, and there are rules in place for the governing body to ban a player if they are found to have successfully deceived a match official, but such cases are very rare.
When speaking to Football Insider, former PGMOL boss and ex-FIFA referee Hackett insisted that the ban for McClean was correct, but he also wants to see players who feign injury, or similar, given similar punishments going forward.
“The referee and his colleagues will have been asked if they witnessed this incident. Their answer will have been ‘no’, opening up the process of a post-match review.
“Given this incident, I am pleased that a panel reviewed it carefully and declared retrospective sanction. I would like the same procedure to take place on acts of simulation.”