Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref says elbow on McGinn ‘deliberate’ in Aston Villa vs PSG
PSG defender Marquinhos caught Aston Villa’s John McGinn with an “illegal” elbow in a controversial Champions League incident according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that with additional factors the elbow “would have been a red”.
Unai Emery’s first XI selection was a major talking point prior to Villa’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg match-up with PSG, as Ollie Watkins was left out in favour of Marcus Rashford.
What’s more, McGinn and Youri Tielemans both featured in relatively unfamiliar positions, in spite of the Spaniard having other options.
PSG romped to a 2-0 lead on the night, thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi following a mistake by Emi Martinez and Nuno Mendes.
Villa then came alive, scoring three goals unanswered, including a goal each from McGinn and Tielemans, and looked to be right back in it.
However, the PSG were able to hang on to their 5-4 lead, progressing to the semi-finals where they will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid.
Aston Villa’s John McGinn elbowed by Marquinhos
Following a chastening first-half, Villa begun the second eager to right the wrongs of the previous 45 minutes.
A long ball forward was allowed to bounce by the French side’s backline, so McGinn flew forward, looking to capitalise on the indecision.
Cushioning a smart header over Marquinhos, the Scotland international looked to have stolen a march on the PSG centre-back, until he abruptly fell to the ground.
| Match stats | Aston Villa | PSG |
| Possession | 34% | 66% |
| Shots (on target) | 17 (9) | 14 (7) |
| Expected goals | 2.26 | 1.70 |
| Big chances (missed) | 6 (5) | 3 (2) |
| Corners | 5 | 5 |
Referee Jose Sanchez allowed play to continue whilst McGinn lay stricken on the ground, until finally deciding to halt proceedings, due to the former Hibernian man remaining grounded with a head injury.
Despite the pleas from the 30-year-old, the Spanish referee seemed uninterested in punishing the Brazilian and the defender faced no sanction.
Keith Hackett explains decision process for John McGinn foul
Having reviewed the footage, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett explained exclusively to Football Insider Sanchez’s decision, and why Marquinhos was allowed to remain on the field of play, saying:
“The action with the illegal use of the elbow was deliberate and should have resulted in a free kick and yellow card.
“It is reckless but not violent.
“There are covering defenders, so this was not a DOGSO [denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity] offence.
“Had the defender’s fist been clenched and a bent arm and moved backwards with force, then that would have been red.”