Former PGMOL chief and Premier League referee Keith Hackett has cast an intriguing verdict on whether Michael Keane’s yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku should have been upgraded to a red card during Everton’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Monday night.
The result at the Hill Dickinson Stadium could have provided the title race with its ultimate turning point, as Arsenal are back in the driving seat for their first gold finish in 22 years. City took the lead through Jeremy Doku, but a brace from Thierno Barry and a header from Jake O’Brien forced Pep Guardiola’s side to fight back and just about earn a point at the death.
It means the Cityzens snatched something from the jaws of defeat. But perhaps they may feel hard done by that they weren’t given a numerical advantage by Michael Oliver on the cusp of halftime. Had Keane been given a red card, then it could have been game over.
Hackett Casts Verdict on Keane’s Tackle on Doku
“Michael Keane was fortunate to stay on the field of play, Hackett explained during an interview with Footy Insider. He continued (watch the full explanation below):
“Had referee Michael Oliver shown a red card, I don’t think there would have been any arguments. However, he has deemed this as reckless, and I think what has saved him is the fact the challenge is low down and, as a result, he has seen it as not serious foul play.”
Intriguing Take on Whether it Would Have been Allowed in World Cup
Journalist Henry Winter was critical of the call, saying: “Football needs a long look at itself, its laws, its consistency of application, officiating standards and use of VAR when you can pull an opponent’s hair and get a three-game ban and go in hard on an opponent, endangering them, [Michael] Keane on [Jeremy] Doku, and get just a yellow.”
Hackett then replied to this comment, agreeing with the football writer’s point of view. He said it was not a mistake by Oliver, but would have been a red card in the World Cup. He wrote (see the full exchange below):
“Henry, you are spot on with your observation. Had Oliver issued a straight red, then VAR would not have got involved.
Under the current interpretation by the PGMOL, they put Keane’s challenge in the reckless yellow card bracket. These will be outlawed in the World Cup and given a red”.
One X user, in disagreement with Hackett’s opinion, argued that it was “never a red”, going on to claim that the tackle was “low and not excessive” for a contact sport. In response, the 81-year-old added: “It is the minimum yellow card bracket – reckless. Definition of reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.”