Credit: Imago / ESPN

Harri Burton

Mon 2 March 2026 11:00, UK

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VAR officials are unlikely to have seen Rayan Cherki’s stamp as a red card during Man City’s win over Leeds United.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the City star was fortunate not to be punished by Peter Bankes on Saturday, 28 February.

Daniel Farke was furious at full-time, charging over to the centre circle to argue his case with the officials, only to be given a straight red card, compounding Leeds‘ misery after a 1-0 defeat.

Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in West Yorkshire, keeping up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal, while the Whites remain six points above the relegation zone.

Cherki‘s stamp was not the only contentious decision, either.

• Read more: Leeds United fans made their feelings clear over “disgusting” Rayan Cherki incident.

Rayan Cherki saved by VAR after stamp on Ilia Gruev

There was absolutely no question that the France international escaped, at the very least, a yellow card at Elland Road, with Matheus Nunes also avoiding punishment in the closing stages.

An incoming cross quite clearly hit Nunes on the arm inside the penalty area, with the entirety of Elland Road calling for a spot-kick to be awarded, only for those fans to be deeply disappointed.

Replays showed that Leeds had been extremely unlucky in the grand scheme of things, and to make matters worse, Cherki possibly should have been given his marching orders in the 57th minute.

The 22-year-old would eventually be substituted, but only in the final few minutes, with Pep Guardiola turning to Nathan Ake for more aerial presence inside the penalty area.

• Read more: Peter Bankes got these three decisions horribly wrong at Elland Road.

Peter Bankes should have shown a red card vs Leeds United

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I find it difficult… The very nature of VAR is to cover these particular incidents. Where they’re getting confused, just like the public, is that they can only come in on what they consider a ‘red card offence’.

“I suspect that VAR decided it didn’t meet the criteria for a red card, hence no intervention. But that leaves us saying, ‘Where’s VAR?’ There should be a communication that says VAR have checked and is happy.

“We get that on occasion, mostly from commentators, but they don’t say that they have considered it a yellow card. No sanction is applied at all, and it looks daft. There’s no question he was lucky.

“If VAR had told the referee to go to the screen, that would have left him exposed to having to give a red card.”