Former PGMOL boss, Keith Hackett, has voiced strong criticism towards Manchester City’s perceived gamesmanship during their recent match against Leeds United, calling for changes to the rules to prevent such tactics from being employed in the future. The intense encounter saw Leeds fight back from a two-goal deficit to level the score, only to ultimately succumb to a late winner from Phil Foden.
Daniel Farke, who is under increasing pressure at Leeds, expressed dissatisfaction after the match over an incident involving Gianluigi Donnarumma’s apparent injury, which allowed for tactical discussions between Pep Guardiola and his team during the game. Farke labeled the situation as lacking fair play, suggesting that such practices disrupt the integrity of the game but acknowledged the grey area within the rules.
Hackett, a former FIFA referee, condemned the trend of players feigning injuries to facilitate tactical timeouts, labeling it as outright cheating. He emphasized the impact of such actions on the continuity of the match and the need for authorities to address and rectify this issue through rule changes and stricter enforcement by officials.
While the gamesmanship did not lead to a successful regrouping for Guardiola’s side, with Leeds managing to level the score, the incident highlighted the contentious nature of deliberate stoppages in play. Hackett underscored the potential dangers of such behavior, as well as the need to uphold the principles of fair play and player safety.
Despite the frustrations faced by Farke during the match, including missed opportunities and contentious decisions, the broader debate surrounding sportsmanship and gamesmanship in football continues to provoke strong reactions within the footballing community, raising questions about the need for clearer regulations and harsher penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.
