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Watford star Richarlison could face retrospective action for an apparent dive
'Deception'

Watford star Richarlison could face two-match ban if penalty ‘dive’ is reviewed by FA retrospective disciplinary panel

Former ref Graham Poll reckons Brazilian deceived Neil Swarbrick to earn penalty and help Watford get back into game

WATFORD star Richarlison could be the first-ever player to feel the full force of the FA’s new retrospective disciplinary panel.

Former referee Graham Poll reckons the Brazilian is in serious danger of receiving a ban after appearing to dive for Watford’s equaliser in the 2-1 win over Arsenal at Vicarage Road.

 Watford star Richarlison could face retrospective action for an apparent dive
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Watford star Richarlison could face retrospective action for an apparent diveCredit: Getty Images

Richarlison, who joined the Hornets over the summer, has impressed under Marco Silva and has helped himself to two late goals in their last three games.

However, he could be making headlines for all the wrong reasons after seemingly throwing himself to the floor as Watford hunted a goal against the Gunners.

Troy Deeney scored the resulting spot-kick, with a late strike from Tom Cleverley handing the home side all three points.

And after the FA announced a new disciplinary panel to review incidents after each match week – with the power to hand out retrospective two-game bans – Richarlison may be in trouble.

 The Brazilian won a penalty after going down in the box
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The Brazilian won a penalty after going down in the boxCredit: Reuters

Former official Poll said: “It just didn’t look right to me. My gut feeling was it wasn’t a foul. Neil Swarbrick had a good view of it. It’s deception, without a question.

“There is no contact. That is as clear an example of a dive as you’re going to see and the FA’s review panel need to have a look at that.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger certainly wasn’t happy with the decision, raging: “We were unlucky. That penalty was a bit ridiculous. I think it’s a scandalous decision.

“We got ourselves into many situations when we could have scored, but we did not take the chances. In the first half we played extremely well.”

 Troy Deeney equalised from the spot before Watford scored a late winner against Arsenal
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Troy Deeney equalised from the spot before Watford scored a late winner against ArsenalCredit: Reuters
 Former ref Graham Poll reckons Richarlison's actions were 'pure deception'
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Former ref Graham Poll reckons Richarlison's actions were 'pure deception'Credit: Reuters
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