- Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has called for tougher measures against Premier League players who attempt to con officials through diving.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett commended referee Michael Oliver for his sharp decision-making during Tottenham’s 1-0 win on Sunday, 24 May, after substitute Pape Matar Sarr went to ground inside the penalty area in a bid to win a vital spot-kick. With Spurs pressing for a second goal, Sarr threw himself down in an attempt to deceive the official, but Oliver was not fooled and immediately booked the midfielder for simulation.
Despite Tottenham holding on for the three points, Hackett argued that a yellow card alone is insufficient and said additional sanctions should be explored to eradicate cheating from the sport.
The former official praised Oliver’s swift response and stressed that referees must apply the law firmly and consistently whenever deception is attempted.
“There are several ways to deal with it,” Hackett said. “Credit must go to Michael Oliver for taking immediate action. If referees consistently punished these incidents whenever they spotted them, I genuinely believe it would reduce the number of players trying to cheat. I also think there should be another level of punishment — consistency is the key issue. At the end of the day, it is cheating.”
Hackett’s preferred solution is an independent post-match review process. He suggested that the existing KMI Panel could be empowered to assess simulation incidents and issue one-match bans through the disciplinary system, arguing that the current approach lacks any real deterrent. In his view, a yellow card in the moment carries little weight and does nothing meaningful to discourage the behaviour.
Meanwhile, Sarr’s future at Spurs remains uncertain. The Senegalese midfielder has seen his opportunities dry up under Roberto De Zerbi, dropping down the pecking order since the Italian’s arrival and rarely featuring with any regularity. Some have pointed to that frustration and dip in confidence as context for his attempted penalty claim on Sunday.
Despite his difficult run at the club, Sarr has attracted attention elsewhere. FC Bayern Munich are said to be keeping tabs on his situation ahead of the summer window, with the Bundesliga side reportedly interested in pairing him with former Spurs striker Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena. A move of that nature would mark a significant step forward in his career and reflects the regard in which he is still held across Europe.
Sarr failed to start any of De Zerbi’s first seven matches in charge, and with Bayern’s interest continuing to grow, there is mounting speculation over whether he will remain at the club beyond the summer.
