Ex-PGMOL chief fumes as 'brutal' Michael Olise escapes 'clear red card' for what he did to Man City star
Keith Hackett has revealed that France star Michael Olise deserved to be sent off for his reckless challenge on Spain's Rodri in their World Cup semi-final clash.
Spain progressed to their second-ever World Cup final on Tuesday night as they beat France 2-0 at the Dallas Stadium.
The European champions continued their impressive tournament campaign as Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored in each half.
Spanish players and supporters felt as if their task should have been made much easier after Olise got away with a poor challenge in the 15th minute.
The Bayern Munich forward followed through with his studs up into Rodri's leg after fouling him in the middle of the pitch, but was not even shown a card by referee Ivan Barton.
Former FIFA official Hackett has insisted that Olise deserved a red card after meeting the criteria for serious foul play.
Keith Hackett has his say on Michael Olise's tackle on Rodri
Former Crystal Palace man Olise has been closely linked to Liverpool in recent months, but he struggled to make an impact in the biggest game of his career to date.
The 24-year-old has been deemed fortunate not to have received his marching orders so early on in Tuesday's semi-final clash.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: "(In the) 14th minute, French player Michael Olise, while challenging for the ball, makes a challenge with excessive force, endangering the safety of his opponent. His boot, with studs showing, lands on the lower leg of Rodri.
"It is a clear red card offence. It was serious foul play. The law states: Serious foul play is a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."
What are the latest Opta predictions for the World Cup winners?
Hackett has told Football Insider that Lautaro Martinez should have been sent off against Switzerland and banned for Argentina's semi clash against England on Wednesday.
He will instead be available to start for Lionel Scaloni's side in Atlanta, with Opta currently backing the Three Lions to progress at 52.53 per cent likely to 47.47 per cent.
Having already made the final, Spain are the clear favourites to lift the trophy, at 56.15 per cent likely as it stands.