'Clearly deceived' - Ex-refs chief blasts referee as Aston Villa star Amadou Onana wrongly sanctioned

Amadou Onana was unfairly punished during Belgium's surprise 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Donatas Rumsas was wrong to caution the Aston Villa star, who was left baffled.

Rangers' Nico Raskin nearly won the game for Belgium on Saturday, 15 November, after Dastan Satpaev's opener was cancelled out by Hans Vanaken, blowing Group J wide open ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Recently, Onana was fortunate not to be sent off against Liverpool, but on this occasion, the midfielder never deserved to go into the referee's notebook following a coming together with Galymzhan Kenzhebek.

Amadou Onana should never have been cautioned vs Kazakhstan

In the 40th minute, the Aston Villa man attempted to break free after halting a Kazakhstan attack, only for the referee to pull play back for an apparent elbow on the pacey winger.

However, watching replays of the incident showed that there was barely contact with the player's face, if any, and Hackett felt that Onana had every reason to be baffled by the decision.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident on international duty, the former referee said: "It's a clear act of simulation by Amadou Onana's opponent, and the referee was clearly deceived.

"There is no backwards movement of Onana's elbow; his actions were not reckless. The referee has got this one wrong. Sadly, no appeals or reviews on a yellow card offence."

Onana's stats will please Unai Emery back at Aston Villa

Despite the Red Devils slipping up at the top of Group J, Onana made a huge impact on the pitch, and Unai Emery will be massively relieved due to the player just returning from injury.

The 24-year-old completed 85 per cent of his passes, completed his one attempted dribble, won 100 per cent of his tackles, made four recoveries, and also won 100 per cent of his aerial duels [FotMob].

It was hardly surprising the see the Belgian tower above the opponents, with the two countries separated by 107 places in the FIFA rankings, but it was not enough for all three points in Kazakhstan.

Belgium still have a game remaining against Liechtenstein before the international break comes to a close, and Emery will be hoping for his star midfielder to return completely unscathed.