Former PGMOL boss blames dishonest players for the ‘dilemma’ surrounding stoppage-time controversy in Liverpool vs Man United clash
Michael Oliver should not be blamed for the controversy surrounding Alexis Mac Allister’s head injury against Manchester United, according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said referees face an increasingly difficult task managing matches because of players’ growing tendency to simulate fouls.
Hackett, who previously described diving as a “disease” in football after Noni Madueke’s attempt to win a penalty for England in September, explained that constant player deception makes officiating complex. He suggested this may have influenced Oliver’s decision to let play continue when Mac Allister went down after a clash early in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to United at Anfield on Sunday, 19 October.
Liverpool fans were furious that play wasn’t stopped as Mac Allister lay on the turf following an accidental elbow from Virgil van Dijk, with Bryan Mbeumo going on to score just seconds later. The Argentine midfielder later required treatment and a protective head cap, while goals from Cody Gakpo and Harry Maguire sealed the dramatic result.
Hackett believes Oliver’s call reflected the challenge modern referees face in distinguishing genuine injuries from time-wasting tactics.
“It’s a huge dilemma for referees,” Hackett said. “Oliver is a very experienced official, but in that moment, he saw three players collide, the ball broke forward, and his focus stayed on the play.
“We’ve seen so many cases recently of players faking head injuries, and referees are forced to make split-second judgments. While some may argue play should’ve stopped, I understand Oliver’s thinking. We need to eliminate simulation and players rolling over to manipulate decisions.”
