Ex referee, Keith Hackett has accused a Swansea City player of cheating in the clash between Swansea City and Leeds United in Sunday’s EFL Championship clash.The ex PGMOL boss has again commented on Leeds United, and this time he has the Swans in his focus.

The move he refers to was Ronald being fouled before the free kick which led to Harry Darling’s opener for the Swans. Hackett who is @HACKETTREF on Twitter describes himself as a UEFA referee expert and author is regularly commenting on what he perceives to be a valid opinion on football matters. Officiating has been his life, and he is opinionated for sure, allegedly it is okay to be that and from Yorkshire we are informed. He first entered officiating in 1960, and now at the age of eighty continues to cause some controversy in his weekly comments.

Talking to MOT Leeds news on the foul, Hackett stated, “No. No, I don’t (think there was enough contact). He (Ronald) is going before he’s actually challenged (before the free kick that led to Swansea’s first goal. As referees, the game has got to clear its act up and get hold of those players who are cheating. These are acts of simulation. Referees appear to have lost focus of it”

Keeping the situation focussed on this pretty poorly worded allegation, and not on the many others he has made, Hackett is clearly stating Ronald is a cheat. But then don’t all footballers gain an advantage in many different ways these days. When it goes for you, there’s little complaint.

Leading on from that Hackett stated, “Players go down for tactical reasons, players exaggerate the fall. Instead of dribbling with the ball, they go to ground. It’s not a foul for me.” Looking at that action he does have a point, Ronald veers to his right having beaten his marker when another Leeds player enters his sight line from the same direction. Ronald clearly jumps to one side to either avoid the tackle or take what Hackett calls a dive. Either way the free kick (below) led to a Swansea goal.

At first viewing it looked a clear foul, and players, when at some pace change direction quickly there is always a chance of that player falling down. Yes Ronald veered right quickly, whether he did it to gain a foul or because of his trajectory we will leave down to you.

Photographs Open Source

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