Man City news: Ex-Uefa official issues major Fifa demand after ‘fantastic’ Oleksander Zinchenko image emerges
Keith Hackett has urged Fifa to invite Ukraine into the World Cup after a “fantastic” image of Man City ace Oleksander Zinchenko from his side’s 1-0 loss to Wales in the play-off game on Sunday (5 June).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Uefa and Premier League official insisted a picture of referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz consoling Zinchenko showed the “human side of football”.
The 25-year-old was visibly upset after a Gareth Bale goal ended their dreams of representing Ukraine at the World Cup later this year.
As quoted by BBC Sport after the game, the versatile midfielder claimed Ukraine did not deserve to lose the game.
“This is a very experienced referee, a very good appointment to this particular game,” Hackett said after analysing the images with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I’ve always admired the way he communicates, he really is a good communicator.
“This shows the other side of football. There’s no bias in this referee, this is the human side. I think it’s a fantastic photograph.
“For me, I would say to Fifa ‘Can you please find a way of allowing Ukraine to play in the World Cup?’ I think that’s what we should do and I think that’s what Fifa should do.
“They are a competitive team so let’s play a few more games in one of the groups.”
Ukraine got to the quarter-final of the European Championship last year (2021) before being beaten 4-0 by England in Rome.
The World Cup in Qatar later this year will be Wales’ first appearance at the tournament in over 50 years.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed ‘all eyes are on’ Man City as three new deals are announced.