Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates with his Crystal Palace teammates (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Brighton were recently awarded a penalty in the Premier League against Crystal Palace after Georginio Rutter was brought down in the penalty area.
However, after reviewing the incident, VAR decided to cancel the penalty. It looked like Rutter had an idea for a clear dive into the area. Initially, the referee decided to penalize Jaydee Cambot for a foul on the Brighton attacker, but after consideration it was clear that the Brighton star was playing for a decision.
Georginio Rutter deserves severe punishment
Keith Hackett has now suggested the player should have received a harsher penalty for his dive. He believes a yellow card is not enough punishment for a player who tends to dive at every opportunity. The lack of appropriate punishment provides an incentive for players to cheat when it comes to contact in the box.
Hackett called on PGMOL to take further steps to stop in-game cheating.
Need to set example
Hackett told Football Insider: “The only way to resolve simulation is a one-match suspension. Look at the review board that meets once a week. If simulation is not addressed by the referee, it should be flagged and the review board should retroactively impose penalties.”
“If they keep running away, that’s what they will do. We’re at the stage where players are not just going to shoot at goal, they’re going to go to the ground with the slightest contact and ask for a penalty kick. There’s no incentive not to do that. A yellow card isn’t enough. There’s almost an incentive to go to the ground.”
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, will be pleased that VAR has ruled out referees taking penalties. Rutter will be well aware of what he did to earn Brighton a penalty and we can only hope he doesn’t repeat that simulation in the future.
