Graeme Souness sparks controversy by branding Bukayo Saka a cheat

During a live interview on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored show this week, former Liverpool and Scotland captain Graeme Souness accused Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka of being a ‘cheat’, igniting a huge stir after the Gunners’ narrow 1‑0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Backstory of the outspoken pundit

Souness joined VAVEL in April 2024 as Deputy Editor‑in‑Chief, producing press‑conference reports and match coverage. He later won an award for his work as lead editor of the Women’s Football section, highlighting his experience across the gender spectrum of the sport.

His reporting career has taken him to stadiums across Europe, including Anfield, Old Trafford and Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park. He also covered both the 2023 men’s and women’s Champions League finals in Eindhoven and Istanbul, demonstrating a breadth of exposure to top‑level football. Souness said: “Your man Saka dives all over the place.” I don’t want to hear about him. The minute he looks like losing possession, he’s down. He simulates a foul. Anyone who simulates a foul in my book would be a cheat.” He added that Arsenal teammates “put their hands up and scream foul”, prompting the referee to blow for a non‑existent infringement.

Piers Morgan, a self‑confessed Arsenal fan, repeatedly asked Souness to clarify, to which the Scotsman replied: “Simulation is a form of cheating, yes. But it’s all over football today. If you asked 100 people what they dislike about the modern game, 50 percent would say simulation, another 50 percent would say VAR.”

The criticism comes as Arsenal, still early in the 2026/27 Premier League season, trail Manchester City by three points after a hard‑won victory. Despite boasting the league’s best defence, the Gunners have struggled for goals, with Saka having scored four in ten matches across all competitions.

Other Arsenal forwards, such as Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz, have yet to cement regular minutes, leaving the team overly reliant on Saka’s contributions.

Beyond football, Souness describes himself as an avid Buffalo Bills supporter and a darts novice, showing his enthusiasm for sport extends well beyond the beautiful game.