Murray Davidson was convinced of Florian Kamberi’s guilt when the Hibs striker started blowing kisses at him.
The Swiss player fell to the floor under a challenge by St Johnstone’s Liam Craig at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night, “winning” a penalty for his team that brought them right back into the match.
At that stage the Easter Road side were trailing to Chris Kane’s 15th-minute strike for Saints.
The controversial award on 65 minutes – the hosts insisted referee Gavin Duncan was conned by a dive – was converted by Marc McNulty, who then went on to score a late winner for the 10-man Hibees.
The 2-1 result was a terrible outcome for the Perth men, who have now lost seven and drawn one of their last eight games.
Davidson revealed that Kamberi gave the game away with his gesture towards the Saints midfielder after the spotkick decision.
He said: “It is quite obvious. I have watched it back and I knew at the time.
“I have to be careful what I say as I might get into trouble but I knew by his reaction when I said to him.
“He just kept blowing kisses to me afterwards.
“If he had been kicked he would have said that. Not once did he say that.
“I just couldn’t believe the ref gave it.
“I was very angry because it changed the game.
“If that is a penalty then we will be getting 10 penalties a game from now on.
“I don’t think Liam touches him. He just throws himself to the ground.
“He will have sat on the team bus down the road not caring as he has helped his team get three points.
“It is hard for referees.
“It can sometimes take minimum contact for a player to go down.
“I have known players who have dived but I am frustrated because it changed the whole momentum of the game.”
