Willy Gnonto was accused of cheating after Leeds United fell 2-0 to Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Daniel Farke’s side now have only their Championship promotion campaign to focus on after being knocked out of the cup at Elland Road by a team 13 places lower in the second tier.
Millwall’s Femi Azeez scored twice, but Leeds had a chance to equalise five minutes later.
Pascal Struijk’s penalty in the 60th minute, however, was pushed onto the post by Liam Roberts after referee Gavin Ward ruled Gnonto, 21, fouled in the box.
Leeds’ Gnonto should have been booked.
Keith Hackett, former PGMOL general manager, does not believe it should have been a penalty.
Luke Cundle did not appear to make much contact with the Italian attacker, who threw himself to the ground after receiving a touch from the Millwall player.
Hackett believes Ward should have shown Gnonto a yellow card.
“Gnonto goes to ground far too easily and his act of simulation has deceived the referee,” Hackett told MOT Leeds News.
“The award of a penalty kick is wrong it should have resulted in a yellow card to the Leeds player for an act of simulation.”
Leeds simulation problem persists versus Millwall.
This is not the first time in recent weeks that a Leeds player has attempted to trick an official into awarding a foul.
Leeds midfielder Joe Rothwell was booked for diving against Norwich on January 22nd while attempting to win a penalty, despite the Whites winning 2-0.
Earlier in the game, Hackett criticized USA player Brenden Aaronson for going down too softly in the box.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News on January 23, the former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee said: “Unfortunately, we witness many incidences when players go down, the referee indicates no penalty kick, and nothing further happens.
“I would hope referees are encouraged to sanction where players attempt to cheat.”
Leeds will have the opportunity to rebound from their defeat to Millwall when they face Watford at Vicarage Road in the Championship on Tuesday night (11 February).
