Abdul Fatawu 'deceives the referee' vs Hull City, Leicester City star deserved to be punished - Ex-PGMOL chief
Abdul Fatawu unfairly won a penalty during a key Championship clash between Leicester City and Hull City at the King Power Stadium.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the tricky winger should have been booked for simulation, not rewarded for a dive.
It was a huge turning point in the game, as Jordan James was able to equalise from 12 yards in the 52nd minute, with Luke Thomas netting just two minutes later to take the lead on Tuesday, 21 April.
Oli McBurnie made it 2-2 in the 63rd minute, a goal which relegated the Foxes down to League One, with Fatawu's penalty win, however controversial, not enough to salvage enough from the game.
Abdul Fatawu fortunate to win penalty, rather than be punished
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "The referee's positioning and movement do not leave him with the ideal viewing angle to make this decision.
"His assistant does have the best view in the house and doesn't raise his flag to indicate a foul. I believe that the Leicester City player goes to ground too easily in an act of simulation.
"And he succeeds in deceiving the referee. It's not a penalty kick for me. He should have been yellow-carded."
| Abdul Fatawu vs Hull City | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Penalties won | 1 |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Passes into the final third | 11 |
| Recoveries | 12 |
| Fouls won | 2 |
It would appear that referee Thomas Kirk was unsighted, but even with his assistant able to see the incident clearly, the officials reached the incorrect conclusion at the King Power Stadium.
Sergej Jakirovic absolutely furious after Leicester City vs Hull City scenes
It didn't take a genius to work out how the Tigers' boss felt on the sidelines, with Sergej Jakirovic being sent off just shortly after Luke Thomas scored to make it 2-1 to the home side.
He was forced to watch the remainder of the game from the stands, and while his side fought back well for one point, he had every right to be frustrated by the way the Foxes got back into the game.
Had Fatawu been booked for his act of simulation, the turnaround likely never would have happened at the King Power, and Hull would have still been in the Championship play-off spots.
With Wrexham beating Oxford United 1-0, however, the Tigers will have to push on in their upcoming games to beat their rivals for a chance at promotion to the Premier League.