Ex-refs chief erupts at 'cheating' stars after 'laughable' Dan Burn incident in Newcastle vs Everton
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Credit: Imago / beIN Sports Ex-refs chief erupts at ‘cheating’ stars after ‘laughable’ Dan Burn incident in Newcastle vs Everton Mon 2 March 2026 12:00, UK Everton cannot fully blame Dan Burn following his altercation with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in Newcastle United’s defeat to Everton.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Premier League stars feigning injury are to blame for players lashing out at those on the floor.Gabriel Martinelli was hounded by opposition fans after attempting to push an injured Conor Bradley off the pitch, a player who needed to be stretchered off with a season-ending knee problem.There was a range of potential punishments emerging after the incident, including fines and multiple-game suspensions, but the Arsenal attack went unpunished in January.Read more: Eddie Howe edges closer to Newcastle United sack after scenes at Everton.Dan Burn causes controversy by picking up injured Everton starArsenal supporters, joining Everton fans, are furious that Burn has not been met with the same fallout after trying to pick up Dewsbury-Hall at St James’ Park on Saturday, 28 February. Bunch of hypocrites. @GNev2 pic.twitter.com/acpl2ojYUX— YaGunner (@YaGunnerss) March 1, 2026 View Tweet Fans from around the Premier League believe that the Newcastle defender should be retrospectively punished, but that is unlikely, given that Attwell dealt with it at the time.Read more: Alan Shearer ripped into Nick Woltemade after what he spotted at St James’ Park.Premier League stars to blame for Newcastle star’s actionsSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “This is what players have brought upon themselves.
But what they fail to recognise is that they’re putting players at risk. If a player sustains a back or head injury, someone else picking them up is the last thing you want.
What the PFA need to do is talk to players, explaining that feigning injury is a big no-no. If a player is really injured, they’re more than likely going to be motionless, not rolling around.”