Credit: Imago / Sky Sports

Harri Burton

Mon 13 April 2026 14:00, UK

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Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur should trigger Howard Webb to address a growing epidemic of diving in the Premier League.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Brian Brobbey attempted to buy a penalty at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, 12 April.

Having already picked up a booking for an elbow on Pedro Porro, the 24-year-old could have been shown another yellow card, and therefore a red card, when going down in the penalty area near the death.

In the 88th minute, Brobbey threw himself to the floor under pressure from Spurs’ Kevin Danso, a decision which might have added to Sunderland’s win over Tottenham, but all calls were waved away.

Howard Webb must deal with diving epidemic in Premier League

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee complained about multiple incidents at the Stadium of Light, but it was Brobbey’s penalty claim that really frustrated him.

“One of the key issues that the PGMOL have got to deal with this summer is to help their referees understand what punishment is taken for acts of simulation,” he said.

“When a player goes to ground inside the penalty area, and the referee waves away the appeals, he should look at stopping the game and yellow-carding the player. 

“This is a discussion that Howard Webb must have with the managers and players during pre-season. For the good of the game, they’ve got to get a grip.

“Assistant referees need to be used more. They’ve got a better side view that the referees don’t have. It’ll be interesting to see how this scenario evolves at the World Cup.” 

Brian Brobbey was lucky to stay on the pitch vs Tottenham

Brobbey was heavily involved throughout the game, causing chaos for Spurs’ defenders from the very first minute, and even forcing Cristian Romero off with an injury halfway through the second half.

Hackett told Football Insider that Brobbey was correctly not sent off when elbowing Porro, but referee Rob Jones could have very easily upgraded the yellow card to red.

Then, many expected the centre-forward to be shown a second caution when pushing Romero into his own goalkeeper, but he was allowed to stay on the pitch until being replaced in the 89th minute.

The 24-year-old won four fouls and committed four fouls during his time on the pitch [FotMob]. Having been so heavily involved, Regis Le Bris might do well to have a quiet word with him this week.