Keith Hackett pushes ahead for key rule change after Man City-Wolves controversy: ‘You can’t ignore this’
Yerson Mosquera escaping a red card should promote the idea of VAR being able to review second yellow cards in the Premier League.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Wolves defender should have seen red against Man City on Saturday, 24 January.
It was Farai Hallam’s Premier League debut, and what a moment it was for the young referee, who was thrown into the deep end with multiple contentious decisions at the Etihad Stadium.
Wolves could have given away an early penalty after Mosquera, involved again, handled the ball in the area, slowing Omar Marmoush down on his way to goal.
Yerson Mosquera stamps on Jeremy Doku’s Achilles
Hackett has been keen for referees to cut down on stamping challenges, with Mohamed Salah avoiding a red card against Brentford back in October, and Pedro Porro too in the same weekend.
The debate over whether it was actually a straight red or just a simple caution has gone even further now, with the former PGMOL chief turning attention to a new law being considered by the IFAB.
There is the potential for second yellow cards being checked by VAR, such as Adam Wharton being sent off against Chelsea this weekend, with too many harsh decisions being made in the Premier League.
However, an improvement in England’s VAR officials would also be needed, as supporters up and down the top tier continue to slam Howard Webb‘s referees from week to week.
IFAB to change laws around second yellow cards
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “You can’t ignore this one. But the difficulty is that, if VAR thinks this is a yellow card, they can’t interfere, and the referee can’t have a second look.
“IFAB are discussing whether second yellows should be reviewed, and that’s a good idea. It’s a good idea, provided we can get an improvement in how VAR operates in England. At the moment, it’s a dead duck.”
Mosquera, undoubtedly, should have been sent off, and Pep Guardiola had more than enough reason to be furious. It was only two games ago that Doku was on the end of a studs-up foul from Diogo Dalot.