Keith Hackett: Sandro Tonali should have been sent off vs Fulham as unseen incident analysed
Sandro Tonali was fortunate that VAR was not in operation during the Carabao Cup clash between Newcastle United and Fulham.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that his altercation with Harrison Reed should resulted in a red card on Wednesday, 17 December.
Lewis Miley was the hero as Eddie Howe’s side beat Fulham 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals of the competition they won last season, with Yoane Wissa also getting on the scoresheet at St James’ Park.
In the other quarter-final clash, Man City’s Abdukodir Khusanov could have seen red, and another punishable incident appears to have been uncovered after the review of new footage.
Sandro Tonali lands an elbow on Harrison Reed
In the closing stages, the Italian international made contact with Reed’s face as the midfielder attempted to run back into the position, and it could have been a key moment had it been spotted.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, the former referee was absolutely adamant that Newcastle’s No.8 would have been sent off with the help of VAR.
“Tonali was fortunate that VAR was not in operation. The use of his left arm/elbow, I’m sure, would have resulted in the referee being advised to visit the pitch-side monitor,” he said.
“Reviewing the incident, he would have witnessed the illegal movement of the arm/elbow, and that would have resulted in a red card.”
Darren England under the spotlight at St James’ Park
Darren England got a number of decisions wrong on the night, not least when booking Fabian Schar to rule out one of the Magpies’ only remaining defenders from the next round of the competition.
Hackett has criticised England heavily this season, most recently for his role in Lucas Paqueta‘s sending-off in West Ham‘s defeat to Liverpool, and a new set of supporters will now be fuming with the official.
Howe, on the other hand, would have been furious with his star midfielder had he received his marching orders in the Carabao Cup, and he may have a word or two with him behind the scenes.