Brighton Fulham
(Credit: Match of the Day)
Keith Hackett
Mon 10 March 2025 15:00, UK
Pervis Estupinan should have been booked for simulation by referee Sam Barrott during Brighton’s win over Fulham, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the full-back should have been booked for diving if he was not going to be awarded a penalty in that win.
Fulham threw away a 1-0 lead to lose to 2-1 to Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday (8 March), a result that could prove crucial to both side’s hopes of securing European football this season.
Harrison Reed was controversially judged to have fouled Joao Pedro deep in second half stoppage time to allow Fabian Hurzeler’s side to win the game from the spot.
That comes amid speculation that Fulham manager Marco Silva will soon earn a move to a “big” club thanks to his work at Craven Cottage.
Prior to that though, Brighton had been denied another penalty, for which there are now suggestions Estupinan should have been punished.
Fulham Brighton Marco Silva
Fulham manager Marco Silva saw his side beaten late on at Brighton
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Pervis Estupinan denied penalty against Fulham
With 83 minutes on the clock, a ball was lifted into the Fulham box, which was pursued by Estupinan as he cut inside from the left.
But having made his way into the penalty area, the Ecuador international then went to ground theatrically, after being put under pressure by opposition full-back Timothy Castagne.
Pervis Estupinan vs Brighton Total (as per SofaScore)
Successful Passes 49/59
Successful Duels 7/12
Clearances 2
Tackles 2
Interceptions 3
Minutes PLayed 90
Referee Barrott though waved away the resulting claims from Brighton for a penalty, instead allowing play to continue.
Hackett though, has now questioned why the official did not book Estupinan for simulation, if he did not believe that the challenge was worthy of a penalty.
Brighton man should have been booked for diving vs Fulham – Keith Hackett
Speaking to Football Insider about that potential penalty claim, the former referee said:
“I think what we’ve got to here as referees, they’re not helping themselves. Because, I know play’s broken, but if he believes that’s not a penalty kick, which he doesn’t, then the Brighton player he’s got to say has actually simulated in an attempt to deceive.
“Now he hasn’t deceived, but he’s simulated, so I wonder when referees are going to actually punish these areas. If they’re not giving a penalty kick then caution for simulation, it’s as simple as that .
“Then they would sell the decision and not leave spectators in doubt. For me, I think the player’s gone down a bit easy. Why do players go down when they’ve got an opportunity to shoot?!”
Following that win, Brighton are now sixth in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth place Chelsea, with Fulham four points further back in tenth.
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