Credit: Imago / BBC iPlayer, Match of the Day 2

Harri Burton

Mon 11 May 2026 13:35, UK

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Matheus Nunes didn’t do enough to be sent off during Manchester City‘s 3-0 win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Kevin Schade may have gone to ground too easily in the Bees’ defeat on Saturday, 9 May.

In the 71st minute, the pacey winger looked like he had just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat after a cross from Igor Thiago, only for him to fluff the shot inside the penalty area.

Schade was claiming a penalty, with suggestions that Nunes had pushed him in the back before being able to get his shot off, only for Michael Salisbury and VAR to wave calls away in Man City’s 3-0 win.

‘Element of doubt’ in the Matheus Nunes incident

Understandably, the away side were adamant a penalty should have been awarded, at the very least, given the Bees were just one goal down at the time, but Hackett is not convinced.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The referee was in close proximity, so good on him for being in a good position. But it’s not the position that the assistant or VAR have. 

“The PGMOL want a sustained push, including a bent arm going straight. I don’t think there’s enough. Had it been, it would be a red card as well as a penalty. But for me, I think it’s the right call.

“If you’re going to award a penalty and dismiss a player, you need to be 100% certain. I think there’s an element of doubt here. The player has been closed down, and maybe he didn’t have time to get his shot away.” 

Bernardo Silva could have seen red in Man City vs Brentford

Nunes wasn’t the only player who went into the referee’s notebook, joined by Nico O’Reilly, Kristoffer Ajer, Jordan Henderson and Omar Marmoush.

Bernardo Silva was also cautioned by Salisbury, seeing his name taken after just 36 minutes, and the Portuguese international might have been fortunate not to be sent off instead.

After being shielded away from the ball, while on the ground, Silva punched defender Nathan Collins in the back of his leg, sparking a confrontation between several players.

Once the drama had cooled down, he was shown a yellow card. But he just as easily could have been sent for an early shower, which would have changed things dramatically at the Etihad.