'Clean up the game' - Ex-PGMOL boss calls for 'retrospective action' panel after Chelsea vs Liverpool incident

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Credit: Imago Mon 6 October 2025 19:00, UK Alejandro Garnacho’s antics during Chelsea’s win over Liverpool have caused the need for an FA review panel to be appointed.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that officials must make an effort to stamp simulation out of Premier League football.It is believed that Garnacho is being targeted by referees due to going down in the penalty area under very little pressure, and that appears to have happened at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 4 October.Anthony Taylor was praised for not awarding a spot-kick against Dominik Szoboszlai, but the Blues would eventually go on to beat Arne Slot‘s side with a dramatic winner in the fifth minute of added time.Alejandro Garnacho accused of diving against LiverpoolGarnacho’s role in the game was quickly forgotten about, though Liverpool fans were furious with his attempt at gaining an advantage by diving, but the referee was not even close to buying it.Noni Madueke was destroyed on international duty after trying to win a penalty against Andorra, with Hackett hitting out at the “disease” currently affecting our game.Credit: ImagoThe former Man United winger, however, was able to avoid picking up any kind of punishment for his simulation, which has now forced the former head of the PGMOL to call for a review panel for these types of incidents. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett wants a review panel to cut simulation out of footballSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “If we are to clean up the game around the acts of simulation, referees need to ignore and continue play or sanction.

We’ve seen some massive theatrics, and no action is taken by the referee. This is a missed opportunity to stem the tide with acts of simulation, which we see regularly.

“We already have a review panel that deals with discipline at the FA, and while I know they don’t like to re-referee games. “The panel should run through 10 games each weekend, and where they see a definite act of simulation and no action from the referee, I want to see retrospective action and punishment.