HOPE Akpan should be hit with a similar 11-game suspension to the one handed out to Paolo Di Canio for raising his hands to referee Scott Duncan in last night’s defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, according to former referees' chief Keith Hackett.

Akpan was sent off in the closing stages of the defeat at Hillsborough on Tuesday night after coming in to contact with the referee as he protested against what he thought was a late equaliser being chalked off for handball.

For Hackett, it brought back memories of Di Canio’s shove on Paul Alcock back in October 1998 which landed him a £10,000 fine and 11-game suspension.

The Football Association will wait on the referee’s report before deciding what punishment to hand to the Rovers midfielder, but it is likely to be at least a three game ban for violent conduct.

But Hackett, who previously served as general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, feels the FA should hand out a strong message with a suspension for Akpan for what he called an ‘unforgiveable act’ and 'clear assault'.

Writing for you-are-the-ref.com, Hackett said: “Last night, late in the Championship game between Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers, referee Scott Duncan ruled out what would have been an equalising Rovers goal.

“What happened next stirred an echo of an unwelcome piece of history on the same ground.  Blackburn’s Hope Akpan ran towards the referee and with both hands pushed him in the chest in a clear assault on the official.

“Duncan, although taken by surprise, was able to maintain his balance and not fall backwards on to the field.

“I am sure many older spectators present at the game would remember one of their favourite players, Italian Paolo Di Canio, pushed referee Paul Alcock to the ground after Di Canio had been shown a red card following a clash with Arsenal’s Martin Keown.

“Many Wednesday fans even to this day question the validity of Alcock going to ground and much humour has surrounded a serious incident.

“There is no doubt that it was rather theatrical, but in defence of the referee he would have been surprised by the action of the Wednesday player.  The Football Association acted quickly and dispensed an 11 game ban, (the statutory three for violent conduct plus a further eight) and £10,000 fine sending out a message that this action by any player would not be tolerated.

“Given the debate on Respect and assaults on referees at grassroots level, the FA must act swiftly and hand out a similar punishment to Hope Akpan for the unforgivable act of laying hands on a referee.”