Agustin Canobbio faces 'extended ban' after 'unacceptable' Uruguay-Spain scenes

FIFA should punish Agustin Canobbio harshly for his actions during Uruguay's crucial defeat to Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he would be disappointed were a disciplinary panel not to act.

Alex Baena's goal made all the difference on Saturday, 27 June, as Marcelo Bielsa's side were knocked out of the World Cup in ugly circumstances.

Nicolas de la Cruz put in a dangerous challenge on Nico Williams, one which might end the winger's tournament, before Uruguay were sent down to 10 men.

But it was his teammate Canobbio who received his marching orders instead, endangering Pau Cubarsi with a late and high foul, before going at the referee.

As Ismail Elfath produced the red card, Canobbio clashed with him, shoving him not for the first time in the game, and causing a commotion when being ushered down the tunnel.

Agustin Canobbio deserves more than a three-match ban

It was a rather ugly ending as La Celeste crashed out of the 2026 World Cup with a wimper, especially as Uruguay's No.14 faces further punishment.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: "Absolutely, and it should be an extended ban. You cannot react in that way to a match official.

"Therefore, I would be extremely disappointed if FIFA's disciplinary panel have not seen that and aren't going to act upon it.

"One of the things that you find in tournaments is that when you get into the knockout phase, it's amazing how quickly the discipline of players can deteriorate.

"There was no doubt about the referee's decision; he was spot on. He recognised it, and the action of the player was unacceptable.

"So for me, that should be a lengthier ban and not one that swept under the carpet."

Spain star could miss the rest of the tournament

Canobbio's challenge is the one that ended in a red card, but it was De la Cruz's that may have ended another player's World Cup campaign.

Williams has struggled constantly from injuries, and after being on the end of a heavy challenge, he appears to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

It is not known whether the exciting winger will return to the pitch before the tournament ends, especially if Spain don't make it to the final.

Spain fans are massively disappointed to see Williams sidelined yet again, and it was born out of frustration from the Uruguayans.