Ex-refs chief hits out at 'unnecessary' guards of honour in Liverpool and Man City games
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Credit: Sky Sports Premier League / @asim_lfc via X Mon 25 May 2026 14:45, UK Liverpool and Manchester City players shouldn’t have created guards of honour during the game on the final day of the Premier League season.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the likes of Mohamed Salah and Bernardo Silva could have been celebrated after full-time.The 2025-26 campaign brought an end to several players’ time in the Premier League, with both Silva and Salah being clapped off the pitch ahead of their summer exits on Sunday, 24 May.However, some rival fans have hit out at the footage on social media, especially from Anfield, with Brentford players refusing to join in the guard of honour, given their aim of securing European football. ⚽ Liverpool Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews, VAR verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Reds fixture. VISIT THE LIVERPOOL MATCH HUBKeith Hackett is not a fan of guards of honourThe situation at the Etihad Stadium was slightly different, with Man City and Aston Villa having nothing left to play for, but Hackett is adamant that the celebrations could and should have waited.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “There is a problem with the timing of our games. The average actual playing time is around 52 minutes.“With this in mind, every action should be taken to avoid unnecessary stops that impact the flow of the game.“The celebration of these wonderful players, who have graced our great game, can be done at the conclusion of the match.”Wayne Rooney hits out at Liverpool and Man City scenesStones was also shown love and appreciation, too, experiencing a rollercoaster of a career since joining from Everton on a £47.5million deal in the summer of 2016.Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day (24 May), Wayne Rooney said: “It’s incredible.
I’ve seen a few things this season, and it just makes me sad that these things are happening in football.“It just makes me sad.” 😬Wayne Rooney was not a fan of Manchester City’s guard of honour for Bernardo Silva and John Stones during the game. pic.twitter.com/H16Jeq04QM— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 24, 2026 View Tweet “Bernardo Silva and John Stones have been incredible for Manchester City, and they deserve it, but do it after the game. That is how the others should have been celebrated, or at least Hackett believes so. 🔴 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Liverpool Insider Access Get the full story from Anfield and the AXA Training Centre with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Merseyside.