Ex-Premier League official demands rule change to ‘punish’ Maddison after latest Newcastle footage analysed
James Maddison should be hauled in front of a committee and disciplined for his dive against Newcastle United yesterday (12 December).
So says former Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after Leicester City’s 4-0 mauling of the Magpies.
Maddison won a penalty five minutes from half-time after his dart into the area was apparently unfairly halted by Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles.
Youri Tielemans despatched the spot-kick after VAR official Paul Tierney upheld on-pitch referee Peter Banks’ decision.
Hackett was outraged by Maddison’s dive and demanded changes to the current Laws of the Game to punish such incidents.
“The FA have got to bring in retrospective punishment on acts of simulation as a deterrent,” he told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitely.
“I think this certainly didn’t help Newcastle United at an important time in the game.
“It impacts the players’ confidence because they think it’s another game where they think they are fighting an uphill battle.
“It should be a one-match ban. There would be a report and then it would go to a three-man panel.
“Let a player, a manager and a referee have a look at it. This is not easy for referees but we need a deterrent.”
Maddison went on to bag a goal and an assist in the second half to seal the result for the Foxes.
The attacking midfielder now has three goals and three assists in his last four Premier League appearances.
In other news, Kieran Maguire predicts Newcastle United on brink of “absolutely essential” development after £246million reveal.