‘Cheat’ – Ex-Referee Slams Manchester United Star and Calls His Ban and Sanction
Keith Hackett blasts United star Patrick Dorgu for "going to ground too easily" and urges football to introduce post-match bans for diving.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has caused a stir by labelling Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu a “cheat” after the youngster went down in the box during United’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club.
United marched into the Europa League final with a convincing 4-1 win at Old Trafford, completing a 7-1 aggregate victory over the Spanish side. But while the result was never in doubt, controversy swirled around a penalty shout involving Dorgu in the second half.
Dorgu appeared to be tripped as he surged into the area, but no penalty was awarded — a decision that outraged some fans, who believed the contact merited a spot-kick. However, 80-year-old Hackett saw it differently.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said:
“Football must take action and introduce a post-match review panel to interrogate acts of simulation and apply a sanction of suspension if they believe a case can be proven. This is one way of preventing players going to ground too easily in an attempt to cheat.”
He went on to accuse Dorgu directly, stating:
“He went down far too easily — that’s cheating.”
The remarks have drawn widespread backlash, with many United supporters defending the 19-year-old full-back. Video replays appeared to show clear contact with Dorgu’s leg, leading many to argue that while the incident may not have been enough for a penalty in some opinions, it certainly wasn’t a dive.
Fans also pointed out that Dorgu has previously shown incredible honesty on the pitch. In a Europa League quarter-final tie against Real Sociedad, the referee awarded United a penalty — only for Dorgu to immediately urge the official to overturn the decision after realising the defender had cleanly won the ball. The moment earned him widespread praise across the football world, with pundits highlighting his rare sense of fair play.
Given that history, Hackett’s comments are seen by many as unfair and misjudged.
Dorgu, who is expected to start in the Europa League final later this month against Tottenham Hotspur, will not face any sanctions and has yet to comment publicly on Hackett’s claims.
