Former FIFA official calls for points deductions against two Premier League teams.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has sparked controversy this week by urging the Premier League to deduct points from two clubs. Both teams were yet to play over the weekend, with Aston Villa set to face Brentford on Sunday afternoon and Tottenham scheduled to host Manchester City later in north London.
Tensions flared after Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham, when Joao Palhinha reacted angrily to Ollie Watkins’ celebration in front of the away fans. The situation quickly escalated, with Palhinha pushing Watkins, prompting several Villa players — including Morgan Rogers — to intervene and confront the Tottenham midfielder.
Ex-Referee Calls for Severe Punishment
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the former PGMOL chief argued that fines alone are not enough and suggested that points deductions would send a stronger message.
“The fines hopefully send a message to both clubs. But an even stronger statement would be to start deducting points,” Hackett said.
However, critics argue that such a penalty would be excessive, especially since the incident occurred in the FA Cup. Deducting league points for an event in a different competition could be seen as unfair, particularly for Tottenham.
Is Hackett’s Argument Reasonable?
While Hackett’s proposal may appear extreme, it highlights a deeper issue. A £125,000 fine is unlikely to significantly impact clubs of this size or deter future misconduct.
Premier League teams generate massive revenues from broadcasting, sponsorships, and matchday income, making six-figure fines relatively insignificant. As a result, such penalties often feel symbolic rather than truly corrective.
Increasing fines to seven-figure sums could force clubs to take incidents more seriously. Stronger financial sanctions might lead to better internal discipline, clearer conduct standards, and faster intervention to prevent confrontations from escalating. The fact that a similar clash occurred during Chelsea’s 3-2 win over West Ham further suggests that current punishments may not be sufficient.