Man United star Harry Maguire ‘in trouble’ as ex-Fifa referee lambasts ‘bizarre’ decision
Man United captain Harry Maguire will be “in trouble” for lambasting the referee after England’s 2-1 loss to France in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday (10 December), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted it was “bizarre” that Brazilian Wilton Sampaio was appointed to a game between two top European nations.
Sampaio denied England a penalty for a challenge on Harry Kane in the first half while England felt Bukayo Saka had been fouled in the build-up to France’s first goal.
He also needed VAR to intervene to award England a penalty when Mason Mount was clearly pushed in the back in the area at the end of the second half.
Maguire told BBC Sport after the game that the referee was “really, really poor” and he could not fully explain how bad his performance was.
“Maguire is basically in trouble,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think it’s always dangerous when TV interviews players post-match when they are still full of the energy of the game and the frustrations come out. It can be taken out of context.
“I think Fifa are likely to take action on it but we’ll wait and see, he might get away with it.
“I think it was a game too far for the referee.
“I was rather surprised that we had two top European teams and we appointed a Brazilian referee. For me, that was a bit bizarre.
“I know people will say that shouldn’t count but styles of play, styles of man management of players are different.
“I just thought this was a poor performance from the referee, he was wishy-washy in his approach.”
In other news, it can be revealed that Man United have smashed a Premier League transfer record.