Ex-FIFA referee: Jude Bellingham faces ‘sanction’ as England red card controversy re-analysed
England’s dreams of lifting the World Cup trophy were damaged on Tuesday as they settled for a 0-0 draw against Ghana, but it could be about to get a lot worse.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Jude Bellingham could now face a sanction.
Images have emerged showing the Real Madrid star speaking to Jordan Ayew with his mouth covered in Tuesday’s game.
FIFA introduced a new law in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup that dictates that any player covering his mouth when confronting an opponent will be sent off.
Yet, this did not occur in Bellingham’s case, with VAR and the referee appearing to miss the incident.
Ghana fans were already upset not to have been awarded a late penalty against the Three Lions when Prince Kwabena Adu was brought down inside the box late on.
Now, Thomas Tuchel’s task could be about to get a lot harder, with Hackett admitting that Bellingham was fortunate to stay on the field.
Jude Bellingham lucky to not to be sent off vs Ghana
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Jude Bellingham is rather fortunate that neither the referee nor VAR has detected that he was covering his mouth whilst in conversation with an opponent.
“Under the introduction of this law just prior to the start of the World Cup, the England player is fortunate to escape a sanction.
“There is a risk that the FIFA Disciplinary panel will take retrospective action and sanction Bellingham.”
Were England lucky to only escape with a draw vs Ghana?
Despite all of their dominance on the ball, England created few chances against the West African side on Tuesday.
In fact, Ghana arguably had the better opportunities and had a massive penalty claim waved away late in the game.
Ezri Konsa appeared to pull down Adu, and despite their protests, no spot kick was given.
Hackett also believed a penalty could have been given for this incident, which was overlooked by VAR.
Therefore, while many England fans were disappointed to have only come away with a point, Tuchel’s men are perhaps fortunate that a loss was not inflicted on the side.