Ex-PL official makes Lamine Cisse accusation after what he spotted amid Stoke vs Ipswich drama

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Credit: Sky Sports Keith Hackett makes Lamine Cisse accusation after what he spotted amid Stoke vs Ipswich drama Wed 11 March 2026 17:30, UK Championship promotion-chasers Ipswich Town should not have conceded a late penalty in their 3-3 draw with Stoke City on Tuesday night.Former PGMOL chief and FIFA official Keith Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that referee Thomas Kirk was deceived by Potters forward Lamine Cisse as he pointed to the spot in stoppage time.Ipswich lost ground on the Championship’s top two as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Stoke at the bet365 Stadium.The Potters went 2-0 up in the first half through Milan Smit and Bae Jun-ho, but Kieran McKenna’s side hit back with three of their own in the second half through strikes from Wes Burns, Jack Taylor and George Hirst.They looked set to grab three priceless points in the promotion hunt until the final stages, when Kirk gave Stoke a contentious penalty and Smit converted to see the game finish 3-3.Keith Hackett disagrees with Stoke penalty call after clear ‘simulation’Stoke were pushing for an equaliser in the 94th minute when Ben Gibson was able to chip a ball into Cisse, who then chested the ball down and fell to ground in the area under pressure from Cedric Kipre and Jens Cajuste. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The home players immediately protested, and Kirk duly pointed to the spot to give the Potters the chance to level, with Smit slotting his penalty home.Replays showed that, while Cisse was challenged by both Ipswich players, there was a clear lack of contact, and the visitors had every right to be annoyed at the decision.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett insisted that a spot kick should not have been given to Stoke, and Cisse instead should have been booked for a dive.He said: “Not a penalty for me, but a yellow card to the Stoke player for an act of simulation.”Ipswich have agreed a deal with experienced scout Peter BraundIpswich have been able to build a team full of top Championship players, but a draw in North Staffordshire has left them four points away from second-placed Middlesbrough with 10 games to play.They may well miss out on automatic promotion this season, but will still fancy their chances in the playoffs, and could well be preparing for life in the Premier League once more this summer.In an effort to aid their potentially ambitious recruitment, sources have told Football Insider that Ipswich are set to appoint experienced scout Braund as their new head of European recruitment.He has previously held similar roles at Man United and Tottenham, and currently works with German club Hannover 96. 🏆 Championship Insider Access Get the full story from across the EFL with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from across the EFL Championship.