Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 11 May 2026 11:19, UK

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Matheus Cunha has sparked calls for further punishment of diving after the Manchester United star was cautioned against Sunderland.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that inconsistent officiating has led to a rise in acts of simulation in the Premier League this term.

In the third minute of added time, the Brazilian was clearly desperate to find the winner during the goalless draw on Saturday, 9 May, only to see his name taken by Stuart Attwell at the Stadium of Light.

Man United were forced to settle for a draw, and despite an indifferent match-up at the weekend, Hackett is far from happy with the footage of the Red Devils’ No.10 and his attempt to con the referee.

Matheus Cunha adds to a growing Premier League epidemic

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “If referees were consistent in applying the law by carding players for simulation, it might slow the number of offences. 

“It’s refreshing to see Attwell punishing this offence. Let’s take that as a positive. When it comes to a sanction of a yellow card, he can do that five times until getting a suspension. 

“If we want to resolve this issue, which I don’t think will ever happen, the sanction needs to increase. If a player is cautioned for simulation, it should be a minimum of a one-match ban.

“That should increase if the same player is involved in another incident later in the season. For me, that’s the only answer.”

Nilson Angulo under the microscope in Sunderland vs Man United

Cunha joined Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkze in the referee’s notebook, but Attwell could have easily shown a red card during the 90 minutes at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

In the closing stages, Nilson Angulo hit Bruno Fernandes in the face with an illegal use of his arm, and even after a VAR review, the 22-year-old winger went unpunished.

It was the player’s first game back since the Black Cats’ defeat to Port Vale in the FA Cup, having been sidelined due to injury, and he was clearly overenthusiastic when back-tracking.

Another referee or VAR official could have easily upgraded the foul to a red card, let alone a simple caution, but now Angulo is available for the final two games of the season.