'I'm surprised' - Ex-refs chief re-analyses viral Axel Witsel footage from Belgium defeat to Spain

Axel Witsel of Belgium should have been sent off, or at least checked for a red card, against Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the midfielder "got away with it" after leaving Rodri in pain.

The Manchester City star could have been seriously injured on Friday, 10 July, being left writhing on the floor after Witsel's challenge in the fifth minute of added time.

Moments after Michael Oliver cautioned the offence with a yellow card, the final whistle sounded, which may have played into the decision at the Los Angeles Stadium.

It did not appear that VAR were actively looking into a potential red card, but fans quickly became outraged as an image went viral on social media after the game.

Luckily, Rodri was able to get back up and finish the game, but questions remain over why the Premier League referee didn't show a straight red card.

Michael Oliver misses blatant red card in Spain vs Belgium

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett was stunned that only a yellow card was shown, and even more so that VAR didn't intervene.

"I think that it's always difficult showing stills, but I think again, you're right. It needed the referee [Michael Oliver] to go to the monitor for a review," he said.

"I think that the referee's probably not got the best view of that and the review might create a different outcome.

"So, clear and obvious... It fulfilled for me and, therefore, I'm surprised the player's got away with it."

Belgium were subsequently knocked out of the World Cup, so it had no further repercussions at the tournament, but it was still a missed moment from a very experienced referee.

Rodri at centre of further controversy vs Belgium

Much earlier in the game, Rodri's name was already popping up, with Belgium fans adamant that the midfielder should have been punished for handball.

A cross from Nico Raskin appeared to strike the player's arm, but only after a deflection from his own teammate, Aymeric Laporte.

That is massively important. According to the IFAB, no handball can be given if it initially comes off a teammate.

Therefore, Rodri rightly avoided a sanction against him for handball, but he was in the wrong end of the decision that saw Witsel only pick up a yellow card.