Terrible news hits Manchester United as the club receives a controversial updated suspension ruling on Joshua Zirkzee following the Southampton incident on Thursday.

Former PGMOL Chief Criticizes FA Decision After Joshua Zirkzee Avoids Punishment for Celebration Against Southampton

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has escaped disciplinary action following his controversial goal celebration against Southampton on Thursday night. However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has strongly criticized the Football Association’s decision-makers for not taking action.

Zirkzee entered the match shortly after halftime and delivered an impressive performance at Old Trafford, fresh off scoring the winning penalty in United’s FA Cup third-round clash. However, his contributions were overshadowed by Amad’s stunning hat-trick, which helped seal victory for Ruben Amorim’s side.

The dramatic win, which extended United’s unbeaten streak to three games, led to jubilant celebrations. During the festivities, Zirkzee joined his teammates in celebrating Amad’s goal, leaped into the air with a fist pump, and then turned to the crowd while making an inappropriate gesture.

Similar actions have drawn criticism in the past, notably when Jude Bellingham performed the same gesture during Euro 2024. Hackett has urged the FA to take stronger action against such behavior.

“Doing this in front of supporters can lead to fines and even a minimum three-match suspension. The FA must consider how these actions can incite crowd reactions, potentially leading to dangerous situations like fan surges and crushing injuries. This young man will likely receive some internal guidance from his club,” Hackett stated.

Despite this, the FA later released a statement confirming that Zirkzee would not face any further punishment, only receiving a reminder about his responsibilities.

Reacting to the verdict, Hackett expressed his frustration. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Once again, the FA has sent the wrong message to footballers across the country.

“Zirkzee’s crude celebration, which was completely unacceptable, has gone unpunished. Players at grassroots level often mimic what they see in the Premier League. If referees at lower levels issue sanctions for similar actions while the FA ignores them at the top level, what message does that send?

“You are the gatekeepers of the game, and young fans attending matches should be protected from such behavior,” Hackett concluded.