Marc Cucurella, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Main Event / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Keith Hackett
Sun 25 May 2025 20:08, UK
Chelsea could face retrospective sanctions after Marc Cucurella appeared to be “crying wolf” against Nottingham Forest, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that play-acting from stars makes Premier League games much harder to officiate, but Anthony Taylor refereed the game well.
Taylor was applauded for not sending off Elliot Anderson following a challenge on Noni Madueke in the first half, dishing out a yellow card, which was the main talking point from the clash on Sunday, 25 May.
Enzo Maresca’s side came out much quicker in the second period, though, with Levi Colwill putting his frustrations to one side while poking home the only goal of the match past Matz Sels.
Nottingham Forest condemned to damaging defeat at the City Ground
While it was jubilation for the Blues at the City Ground, with the Reds unable to equalise, it meant that Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side missed out on Champions League qualification by a single point.
Forest were pushing hard in the final moments, however, which led to a clash between Cucurella and Ola Aina in the corner, following on from Morgan Gibbs-White‘s coming together with Moises Caicedo.
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Aina looked to step over the Chelsea defender after giving away the free-kick, brushing him with his leg, likely on purpose, which saw Cucurella writhing around on the floor until Aina was booked.
The player was not in need of any medical treatment, getting up to finish the rest of the game, and Hackett was far from impressed with his actions at the City Ground.
Enzo Maresca Chelsea (1)
Chelsea secured Champions League football. (Credit Imago)
Marc Cucurella’s actions condemned in Chelsea victory
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Cucurella’s playacting, the former referee said:
“Anthony Taylor officiated the Nottingham Forest v Chelsea game with a high level of calmness, and used his experience not to overreact to attempts to deceive him.
“I hope that the FA will review this series of alleged incidents, and if appropriate, apply retrospective sanctions. I worry about players ‘crying wolf’. They certainly make the officiating of Premier League games difficult.
“Taylor has had a good season and is displaying a maturity that is enhancing the quality of his officiating.”
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