How Paraguayan Football Association could be punished by FIFA after winning 'substantial' prize money

The Paraguayan Football Federation are unlikely to escape further punishment after a controversial performance against France.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the referee's performance exacerbated the team's poor challenges.

Despite ending the game with zero cautions to France's three, the Paraguay national team were called out for the disgraceful antics on the pitch.

Multiple incidents of misconduct were missed by referee and VAR, with many believing that the South American side should have had at least two red cards.

Both Kylian Mbappe and Jules Kounde were on the wrong end of opposition players lashing out, while the penalty spot was also scuffed up before France's winner on Saturday, 4 July.

The majority of supporters were relieved to see Paraguay knocked out of the tournament following the ugly scenes at the Philadelphia Stadium, but that may not be their only punishment.

Paraguay deserve harsher punishment after France clash

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett has suggested that the Paraguayan Football Association should have their prize money docked.

"Here, I think the punishment should be financial. Teams that participate in the World Cup are all going to receive a substantial amount of money," he said.

"And therefore, I think that we saw misbehaviour, even from the technical area. But again, it was all compounded by weak refereeing.

"He had mass confrontation, and a number of players coming together. The basic training of referees applies within Europe and each part of Europe.

"He has a duty to issue a minimum two yellow cards to reassert his authority, but he had no authority. You could pull somebody from the crowd to do a better job."

It is believed that any team that reaches the round of 16 earns $15million (£11.1m), but FIFA could knock that down following their exit from the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe praised for his role in World Cup controversy

Unsurprisingly, Mbappe was one of the most targeted players during the game, being constantly kicked and fought to deny him proper chances.

With the referee failing to discipline the Paraguayans, the Real Madrid striker was left to fend for himself, but he handled it with a lot of maturity.

Hackett said: "When we look at France, they should take a great deal of credit from the fact that their players didn't overreact.

"Mbappe in particular, who was taking off the ball punishment as well as on the ball punishment, I thought produced a really mature performance concentrating on football, not getting too involved."