Liverpool Star Cody Gakpo 'Should Be Banned' as Forward Accused of 'Cheating'

Cody Gakpo faces calls for a retrospective ban after allegedly diving to win a penalty for Liverpool in their recent Premier League draw against Burnley at Anfield[1][3]. Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett branded the incident a "blatant dive" and urged the FA to suspend players for such simulation[1].

The controversy erupted in the 31st minute when Gakpo went down in the penalty area following minimal contact from Burnley's Florentino Luis. Referee Andy Madley awarded the spot-kick, but fans and pundits widely criticized it as unsporting. Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai struck the crossbar from 12 yards, which many saw as poetic justice, before the Reds took the lead 10 minutes later[1].

"This is a dive, and not a very good one. No way is this a penalty, and it’s not even a clever one. Next, you really start to question the match official, and what he’s seen, and also what VAR are doing to allow him to get to that decision."
— Keith Hackett to Football Insider[1]

Hackett, speaking exclusively on The Final Whistle, called for a review panel to examine weekend acts of simulation, emphasizing the need for post-match punishment to deter cheating[1]. The incident has reignited debates over VAR's effectiveness, with critics questioning why the decision stood despite replays showing Gakpo exaggerating the contact[1][3].

Similar accusations have followed Gakpo before, including a penalty against Bournemouth where fans claimed he tripped himself, sparking cries of referee bias and even corruption on social media[2]. Liverpool secured a 2-0 win there, extending their lead, but the backlash highlighted ongoing scrutiny of the Dutch forward's antics[2].

As pressure mounts, the FA's response could set a precedent for handling dives in the Premier League, potentially sidelining Gakpo and prompting stricter enforcement[1]. The episode underscores persistent tensions around officiating integrity in top-flight football[3].