Exclusive: Liam Delap dive should have been punished in Ipswich v Nottingham Forest.

Keith Hackett complimented referee Tony Harrington’s actions, but also wanted to see Ipswich Town star Liam Delap reprimanded.

The former PGMOL chairman and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Delap deserved a yellow card for “an attempt to deceive the referee” during Monday’s penalty shootout loss to Nottingham Forest. Both teams went into their FA Cup fifth round fixture knowing that the winner would face Brighton in the quarterfinals. Despite a George Hirst opener in the 53rd minute, a Ryan Yates equaliser in the 68th minute drove the Tractor Boys into overtime. Following a tense half-hour of extra time, the match remained goalless, allowing Forest to win on penalties.

Ipswich striker Liam Delap lucky not to be cautioned

Prior to the shootout, Chelsea transfer target Delap believed he had earned his team a penalty in the 110th minute. The former Manchester City striker set off on a classic lung-busting run from the halfway line, cutting inside two Forest defenders on the edge of the box before being pulled down by Chelsea transfer target Murillo.

2024/25 Premier League stats	Delap
Appearances	26
Starts	25
Goals	10
Assists	2
Yellow cards	9
Minutes	2,030

Despite the striker writhing on the ground theatrically, Harrington waved play on, unconcerned about the situation. In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Hackett stated: “I believed the referee did a fantastic job judging this, as he was in a good position to view how the attacking player made contact with an opponent’s leg. “There was an attempt to fool the referee. “Referee [Tony] Harrington should have stopped play and cautioned (yellow carded) the player for an act of simulation, attempting to deceive the referee.”

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