‘I’m surprised’ - Ex-refs chief stunned as Tottenham star accused of ‘cheating’ vs Brighton
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Mon 22 September 2025 19:30, UK
Thomas Frank should have seen one of his stars cautioned for diving during Tottenham’s draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Xavi Simons was lucky not to be punished for attempting to con the referee.
Guglielmo Vicario failed to save Yasin Ayari’s long-range strike, which only put Spurs further behind after Yankuba Minteh‘s opener in the eighth minute, but Frank’s side fought back for a point on the road.
Richarlison continued his rich vein of form, netting just shy of the half-time break, before Jan Paul van Hecke‘s own goal forced the Seagulls to give up all three points on Saturday, 20 August.
With time left for a possible winner, Simons took it upon himself to find it, but in doing so, threw himself to the floor inside the penalty area while battling with Diego Coppola for the ball.
Lucas Bergvall also avoided a sanction, having run behind the goal during a corner kick in an attempt to lose his marker, but Hackett has been left far more frustrated by his teammate’s actions on the pitch.
Credit: Imago
Simons has already impressed Tottenham coaches, but after falling to the floor under very little pressure from his opposition, he has now been accused of cheating by a former PGMOL chief.
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I’m surprised that Chris Kavanagh has not cautioned that player for an act of simulation. That’s a clear act of simulation.
“He’s attempted to win a penalty, and it’s that type of incident where you’ve got clarity, no tangling of legs, and he goes to ground. It’s a yellow card. If referees don’t see these and caution them, players will continue to take advantage of these incidents.
“I’d like to see an addition to VAR intervention on a yellow card. It should be an automatic yellow card.
It reinforces the referee’s decision not to award a penalty, but we see this a lot.”