Ex-refs chief: Lautaro Martinez 'should be banned' for England vs Argentina: 'He's broken the law'

Lautaro Martinez should have been handed a one-match ban ahead of England's World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Inter Milan star deserved to be sanctioned against Switzerland.

Lionel Scaloni's side advanced in the competition in yet more incredible scenes, needing extra time to bypass the Swiss in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Dan Ndoye cancelled each other out in normal time, before Julian Alvarez and Martinez notched in added time.

And that's where the controversy around Argentina's No.22 emerges from. Already on a yellow card, his celebrations are now being analysed.

While he didn't take his top off, the 28-year-old hopped the advertising boards and ran straight up to the supporters, celebrating with them instead of his teammates.

Lautaro Martinez deserved sanction in Argentinian celebrations

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett stated just how dangerous it can be for these fans when players decide to come too close.

"I think that we have seen in this tournament a weakness across the board from the match officials in more than one game," he said.

"Where we've had the celebration of goals, players are also going outside the laws of the game and not being sanctioned. This is an example.

"We can show other examples, I'm sure, where the celebration has brought managers, players, coaches, kitmen, everyone on the bus, onto the field of play to celebrate.

"Precedents have been set here, with weakness in the application of law to stop crowd surges. Again, this is another aspect of delaying the restart.

"It's absorbing time, and we know that all these time lost is not always getting added on. Why didn't he get a second yellow?

"Because he's clearly gone into the crowd, he's broken the law, but he's not been sanctioned."

What changes could Thomas Tuchel make before huge England clash?

The pressure is really building now for the Three Lions to return with the World Cup trophy in their grasp this summer, much like every summer.

Argentina are likely to be their biggest test yet, and Thomas Tuchel is still without Jarell Quansah, who is serving the second game of his two-match ban.

Reece James did feature against Norway, but it would not be a surprise to see Ezri Konsa keep his place at full-back after his solid performance.

Questions have been raised about Jude Bellingham's involvement due to his comments about Tuchel after the Norway game, and that could open the door to Morgan Rogers starting.

With six goals and an assist so far this tournament, though, it would seem foolish to let a few comments get in the way of England's best lineup.