West Ham news: Ex-Premier League referee demands Fifa intervention as Lucas Paqueta embroiled in controversy
Fifa should intervene to stop West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta and his Brazil teammates from “over-celebrating” with dances at the next World Cup, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the celebrations during were delaying the restart and could cause a crowd surge.
In Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 game last week (5 December), Paqueta along with Neymar, Raphinha and Vinicius Junior, performed a choreographed dance routine after scoring.
After Richarlison’s goal, he joined his teammates and manager in performing his signature pigeon dance.
“It’s all a nonsense,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“We actually caution players for leaving the field of play and over-celebrating and we do that on the basis that the action has delayed the restart in the laws of the game. It’s delaying the restart.
“This is delaying the restart and Fifa need to do something about it.
“You’ve got members of the technical area running onto the pitch or onto the side.
“The danger here is exactly why we caution players for the removal of a shirt and over-celebrating and that is crowd surge.
“Therefore, be consistent. I’m not a killjoy but be consistent in the application of the law.”
Despite thumping South Korea, Brazil crashed out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage with a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia.
They took the lead in extra time but were pegged back in the 117th minute and lost 4-2 on penalties.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has tipped an “auction” for West Ham as the “deal of the century” is cited.