‘You’re a cheat’ – Ex-refs chief calls for retrospective bans twist after Brighton vs Brentford controversy
Dango Ouattara must spark the formation of an FA panel to judge acts of simulation after the Brentford star’s antics against Brighton.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Ouattara is making a reputation for himself as a diver at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Dan Burn was sent off for Newcastle United after tangling with the Brentford winger on multiple occasions before the international break, and he appears to have tricked another referee.
Igor Thiago stepped up to slot home his ninth goal of the Premier League campaign, but he also missed the chance to equalise from the spot in the fourth minute of added time as Brighton staged a comeback.
Dango Ouattara called out for diving in Brighton vs Brentford
Danny Welbeck continued his rich vein of form, with Jack Hinshelwood netting a second, and the Seagulls fans will feel that justice was served after Ouattara took a tumble in the box.
There appeared to be very little contact from a sliding Carlos Baleba, if any at all, but referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot without any doubt, and the decision stood on Saturday, 22 November.
Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, and Jack Grealish are amongst the Premier League’s worst divers, but Hackett feels strongly that Ouattara might too soon be on that list.
He went down in the box under very little pressure against Brighton, and after getting Newcastle’s Burn sent off for two yellow cards, the former PGMOL boss has called for more serious action to be taken.
Keith Hackett wants an FA panel to judge acts of simulation
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “This is not an easy area to detect for a referee. When you do caution someone for an act of simulation, you’re publicly saying, ‘You’re a cheat’.
“Almost as a preventative measure, the FA should have a panel of two ex-players and a referee sitting in judgment on a Monday, judging these divers.
“When they agree on one that is a dive, let’s put a one-match ban on that player. It might seem harsh, but if referees can’t detect it because they’re that good at it, and it impacts the image of the game, something needs to be done.”