Former PGMOL Chief and Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called for football to make a major rule change in the wake of Manchester City's 3-2 victory against Leeds United. The ex-official's statement comes after Daniel Farke complained about the tactics employed by Pep Guardiola's side.
The hosts took the lead inside one minute through Phil Foden and then doubled their advantage as Josko Gvardiol capitalised on Leeds' failure to clear their lines from a corner. But after half-time, the visitors drew level thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
Unfortunately for the Whites, a precious point was snatched from their grasp when Foden notched his second of the game with a classy left-footed finish. Victory for City took them up to second in the league, just four points behind Arsenal, who face Chelsea on Sunday.
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Farke Complains About City 'Fake Injury' Tactics
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Premier League - Manchester City v Leeds United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 29, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Leeds United manager Daniel Farke after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
However, Leeds manager Farke has condemned the tactics that their opponents implemented after his side drew level in the second half. With the visitors in the ascendency, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down with an injury and received treatment.
That allowed for a break in play where Guardiola could call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions. Farke believes that the hosts had bent the rules to earn a reprieve, adding that the PGMOL should prevent it from happening moving forward.
"Everyone knows why he went down," he said. "It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution.
"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied.
"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain."
Check Out the Clip From Farke's Press Conference:
Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma sits down because of an injury.
Premier League - Manchester City v Leeds United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 29, 2025 Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma down injured Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Farke's comments appear to have resonated with former PGMOL boss Hackett, who believes that the game's laws should be changed to eliminate the practice. He told MOT Leeds News: "The action of a player going down feigning injury to enable his manager to have a technical time out is becoming a regular approach by a good number of teams at the professional level.
"It’s a difficult one for the referee who often is forced to take the safe option of stopping the game for the alleged injured player to receive treatment. Whilst treatment is rather slow we see time-consuming time wasting before the game restarts. It breaks up the continuity of the game and allows the team to regroup.
"I wonder if after these stoppages the referee is adding on sufficient time. This is a difficult one with referees frankly being between a rock and a hard place.
"Football, either through agreement or consideration of a law change must put its house in order. The facts are that it’s cheating to get the game stopped. We see suddenly players sprinting to the touchline for a technical de-brief. We also see referees adding on three minutes of added time when it should be more.
"Action by the authorities is what is required."