Credit: Imago / TNT Sport

Harri Burton

Sat 9 May 2026 17:00, UK

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Chelsea correctly saw penalty claims waved away by Craig Pawson after Joao Pedro went down under pressure from Jeremie Frimpong.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Liverpool star would have been very unfortunate had a spot-kick been awarded.

In the 89th minute, with both sides searching for a winner in the 1-1 draw on Saturday, 9 May, Chelsea’s No.20 went tumbling to the floor following a tangle of legs with Frimpong inside the area.

Pawson was unmoved, with VAR confirming the decision, but the Blues were left frustrated by what they thought was a blatant foul, and one that was deserving of a spot-kick in Chelsea’s draw at Anfield.

Joao Pedro tried to ‘deceive the referee’ at Anfield

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee said: “No penalty kick for me. So, I’m in agreement with the match officials on this one.

“The Chelsea player comes in from the side, moving his left leg across his opponent to manufacture contact, and then going to ground in an attempt to deceive the referee.”

Hackett is an absolute stickler when it comes to acts of simulation, often claiming that cautions should be automatic for diving in the penalty area, and also that a review board should be in effect.

Pedro isn’t the only player at Stamford Bridge who has been hammered for cheating. Last month, during the Blues’ clash with Man United, Hackett accused Marc Cucurella of the same.

What did Ally McCoist make of the incident in Liverpool vs Chelsea?

Ally McCoist was mesmerised by some of the football at Anfield, with the 1-1 draw a great game for the neutral, but frustrating for those who had travelled to Merseyside.

The game could have been decided in the closing stages when Pedro went down inside the penalty area, but the Premier League giants, both of whom have underperformed this season, were deadlocked.

Speaking live on TNT Sports (9 May, 2:21pm), McCoist said: “The legs definitely get tangled there. If you’re asking me the question, I’m not giving a penalty there. Tony Harrington, the VAR, is having a very good afternoon.”

The legendary figure was complimentary of the VAR official throughout the game. Although the PGMOL’s officials get a lot of stick in the Premier League, Harrington was rightly commended for his impact.