Ex-Premier League referee: Carlos Alcaraz should be banned amid ankle-breaking Southampton claim
Keith Hackett has claimed Southampton match-winner Carlos Alcaraz should have been red-carded for his challenge on Leicester’s Timothy Castagne.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the 20-year-old was “very lucky” to stay on the pitch his side recorded a 1-0 win over the Foxes on Saturday (4 March).
As seen in footage on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube account (4 March), Alcaraz caught Leicester star Castagne with a late challenge after a heavy touch in the middle of the park.
The Southampton midfielder was booked for the tackle by referee Rob Jones, who was not invited to review the pitchside monitor after a VAR check.
Speaking on the half-time analysis on Sky Sports (as quoted by the Leicester Mercury, 7 March), former Saints midfielder Jamie Redknapp claimed Alcaraz could have broken Castagne’s ankle with the “nasty” challenge.
Southampton went on to claim a 1-0 victory – with January signing Alcaraz scoring a first-half winner.
The south coast club are now just one point from safety with 13 games remaining in the 2022-23 campaign.
Hackett told Football Insider: “I think this tackle endangers the safety of his opponent.
“He should have seen red.
“Now that might seem harsh, but he’s put his foot in a place where he could have avoided putting it, and he’s caught the Leicester player in a really dangerous area.
“I think he’s a very lucky boy to be able to stay on the pitch.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Man City in pole position to sign Southampton star.