Credit: Imago / @Kriskai0 via TikTok

Harri Burton

Tue 24 March 2026 18:45, UK

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Rayan Cherki feigning injury was a “joke” during Manchester City‘s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referees are in a “no-win” situation when players fake injuries, such as Man City’s star.

After being clattered by Ben White at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 22 March, Cherki infuriated many of the Gunners fans when smiling cheekily at them before continuing to roll around on the floor.

The challenge from Arsenal’s No.4 earned him a yellow card in the 69th minute, lashing out after the star did keepy-ups in the middle of the pitch, as Man City beat Mikel Arteta’s side 2-0.

Rayan Cherki a ‘joke’ after viral Arsenal vs Man City incident

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee raged at the rise in players faking injuries to allow for stoppages, with referees unable to do anything to discourage it currently.

“These tactical stoppages, where players go down feigning injury to either stop the flow of the game or allow the manager to communicate changes around play, are becoming a joke.

“The sad truth is that outfield players start rubbing their heads, or the goalkeeper just stays down, forcing the referee to stop the game and call on the trainer.

“Players then run towards the technical area to receive instructions from the manager. The referee is in a no-win situation, unable to take a risk where an alleged injury is in front of him.”

Keith Hackett excited about key law changes to stop time-wasting

Supporters are becoming more and more frustrated by acts of time-wasting, and that definitely should be taken into account when people are paying to watch these games with their hard-earned money.

Talking about potential fixes, Keith said: “I do think that the law change being introduced by the IFAB at the World Cup and from June onwards is a step in the right direction.

“Where a player receives an on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, the player will be required to leave the field of play and remain off it for one minute once play has restarted.”

Some have suggested retrospective punishments, especially for incidents like Cherki’s, and that would almost certainly have an impact on players feigning injuries in the future.