ALAN Shearer and Ruud Gullit were two of the most celebrated footballers of their eras.

Now, they sit alongside each other in the Match of the Day studio offering varying degrees of insight into the Premier League.

Putting aside occasional unsubtle digs from a Shearer still bitter about being shunned by the former Dutch international when in charge of Newcastle more than 15 years ago, they are in a very privileged position.

Which is why it was worrying at the weekend to hear them claim it is the right of a player to go down under a challenge in order to win a penalty.

The example cited was Burnley’s Sam Vokes being held by Swansea defender Neil Taylor during Saturday’s match at Turf Moor, which the hosts lost 1-0.

Vokes looked to be fouled by Taylor in the box but referee Jonathan Moss was unmoved.

Crucially, as far as Shearer and Gullit are concerned, Vokes stayed on his feet and later went on record to say going to ground “was not my game.”

Gullit was less than impressed with this.

He claimed indeed it should be Vokes’ game and that, in his view, because the referee didn’t act, the striker should have fallen over to highlight the foul.

The pundit was insistent that such actions were “not cheating” and Shearer agreed, both arguing the point with presenter Gary Lineker until it was time to move on to the next set of highlights.

All of which should be of huge concern.

Referees are there to make decisions, right or wrong, good or bad. It is not up to the players to try to influence that decision. Otherwise, it is cheating, plain and simple, no matter how strongly the grievance is felt.

For Shearer and Gullit to effectively sanction such behaviour and criticise a player for doing the decent thing sets a dangerous example that others will surely follow.