Credit: Imago / TNT Sports

Harri Burton

Sat 7 March 2026 21:10, UK

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Peter Bankes and VAR were correct not to punish Chelsea‘s Marc Guiu during their FA Cup win over Wrexham on Saturday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues would have been very unfortunate to concede a penalty on 7 March.

Moments after the 20-year-old centre-forward replaced Mamadou Sarr, a shot was fired straight at his arm while inside the penalty area, with the entirety of the SToK Cae Ras calling for a spot-kick.

The incident was checked and cleared by VAR, with the technology installed for the fifth round of the tournament. Following the decision, Chelsea would go on to beat Wrexham in extra time.

Peter Bankes right not to punish Marc Guiu vs Wrexham

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The reason that both the referee and VAR determined that this was not a penalty kick is based on two areas that they feel have not met the criteria.

“Firstly, the shot was close to the Chelsea player, who had little time to react and remove his arm. Secondly, the arm of the Chelsea player was close to the body with no movement of the hand to the ball.

“I support the decision of referee Peter Bankes.”

Hackett also explained to Football Insider that George Dobson was correctly sent off following a VAR review of his challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, having initially been shown a yellow card.

What did Phil Parkinson say about Wrexham’s red card?

There is still plenty of arguing around the contentious moments during the FA Cup clash, but for the neutral, it was simply a six-goal thriller at the SToK Cae Ras in North Wales.

Speaking after the game about Dobson’s sending off, Phil Parkinson said: “In the second half, I think we were the better team, and I was confident we were going to win. The referee gave a yellow.

“I’m not sure of the rules; it’s the first time we’ve had VAR, and it has to be clear and obvious to overturn it. I think the referee could have just kept it at a yellow.”

With VAR introduced into the fifth round, there was always bound to be criticism, and many are still in agreement that the entire tournament should be the same – VAR or no VAR.

Wrexham came off on the wrong side of these decisions, with their attention now turning back to gaining promotion from the Championship this season.