'Blatant cheating' - Ex-PGMOL chief 'gobsmacked' by Harry Maguire footage vs Crystal Palace
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports ‘Blatant cheating’ – Ex-PGMOL chief ‘gobsmacked’ by Harry Maguire footage vs Crystal Palace Mon 2 March 2026 11:30, UK Harry Maguire should be ashamed of himself after footage of him “cheating” emerged from Man United’s clash with Crystal Palace.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Man United star’s actions are a prime example of why referees’ lives are made difficult.Chris Kavanagh had plenty of contentious decisions to deal with, not least sending off Maxence Lacroix for the Denial of a Goalscoring Opportunity at Old Trafford on Sunday, 1 March.The Palace defender had previously opened the scoring, sending the away end berserk, but following his red card, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko managed to turn the game around.#MUNCRY – 52’ VAR OVERTURNAfter VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no red card to Lacroix.Referee announcement: “After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goal scoring opportunity. Final…— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 1, 2026 View Tweet Read more: Bruno Fernandes seen “absolutely fuming” in off-the-ball incident vs Crystal Palace.Harry Maguire and Jorgen Strand Larsen go viral at Old TraffordWith United trying to get back into the game at the time of Maguire’s clash with Jorgen Strand Larsen, it was obvious what the former captain was trying to do in the centre of the park.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES While battling for possession, Maguire won the header but complained to the referee about Strand Larsen’s high foot; only replays showed zero contact between the two players.Supporters up and down the Premier League were baffled by the moment, with many finding it hilarious, but Hackett was more than frustrated by the footage at Old Trafford.The 32-year-old has now been accused of “cheating,” with the footage clearly showing what Premier League referees are forced to deal with regularly when it comes to simulation.Read more: Harry Maguire’s contract situation has been revealed at Man United.Keith Hackett ‘gobsmacked’ by Man United-Crystal Palace footageSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I’m gobsmacked by the player’s reaction. He’s supposed to be one of the hardmen in the game.
“It’s a form of cheating. “From a different position, a referee wouldn’t be able to see if there’s contact.