West Ham star Taty Castellanos to be 'banned' for cheating - Ex-PGMOL chief
West Ham United striker Taty Castellanos should be suspended after the FA set a "dangerous precedent" at the start of the 2026-27 season.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the FA simply have to be consistent when re-refereeing games.
On Thursday, 20 August, it was announced that West Brom's Aune Heggebo was being handed a two-game ban for "successful deception of a match official".
This decision was made by the FA after the centre-forward appeared to slap the Baggies' opener against Norwich City into the back of an empty net.
Questions are now being raised over why Castellanos should not be given the same treatment, having tried to win a penalty against Charlton Athletic by diving inside the penalty area.
Thankfully, Andrew Kitchen spotted the simulation and cautioned the player instead, but there is still outrage over inconsistent punishments.
Taty Castellanos should be handed 'one-match ban'
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett understood the frustrations, and also admitted to wanting the FA to act again.
"This is why I said that the panel, who made that judgement on the handball and issued a suspension, has set a dangerous precedent," he said.
"And now they're faced with how they deal with acts of simulation, which are under the same umbrella, if you like, of the actions by the West Brom player.
"For me, I think that they've entered a zone of re-refereeing that FIFA never wanted to see. I would prefer a one-match ban for the player who's simulated in order to act as a deterrent.
"Now Mr Review Panel, what are you going to do? Are you going to be consistent? Because if you are consistent, you will review it and you will get a ban."
What are West Ham's chances of promotion?
After being relegated from the Premier League last season, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have been heavily predicted to bounce straight back up.
The Hammers have not got off to the best of starts, though, drawing 2-2 with Burnley at Turf Moor before losing 2-1 at the London Stadium this weekend.
And Castellanos certainly needs to be careful, having picked up cautions in each of West Ham's opening two games, one for a challenge and the other for simulation.
Despite the poor start, the Hammers have an 11.42 per cent chance, according to Opta, to win the title, with a 21.16 per cent chance of simply winning promotion.