Omar Marmoush, Man City
Credit: Imago / DAZN
Keith Hackett
Wed 18 June 2025 17:56, UK
Wydad Casablanca could have seen a man sent off after Man City star Omar Marmoush was on the end of a “reckless” challenge, and Keith Hackett has reviewed the foul.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that while the challenge from Cassius Mailula deserved a caution, it was not enough for the striker to be sent off as it lacked sufficient “brutality”.
Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead after just two minutes after Phil Foden, who has recently been tipped to join Arsenal, pounced on a goalkeeping error at the Club World Cup on Wednesday, 18 June.
It was the England international’s first goal for the Citizens in 20 matches, having suffered an extremely poor run of games during the 2024/25 season, albeit he notched 10 goals and five assists in total.
Omar Marmoush on the end of crunching challenge at Club World Cup
Matters could have gone from bad to worse for the Moroccan side, but with referee Ramon Abatti dishing out a yellow card, all 22 players remained out on the pitch in Philadelphia.
Wydad had multiple chances to net an unexpected equaliser against the Premier League giants, with a chance being squandered just 12 yards from goal, but that was duly punished by the Citizens.
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Just three minutes before half-time, Jeremy Doku got on the scoresheet during a set-piece situation, smashing the ball past a helpless El Mehdi Benabid.
With City going two goals up before the half-time break, there remained a huge talking point around the challenge on Marmoush early in the first half.
Keith Hackett delivers verdict on potential red card
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “This is clearly a reckless challenge that was correctly sanctioned with a yellow card. In my opinion, failed to meet a red card for an act of serious foul play.
“The law for serious foul play states: ‘A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.’
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.
So, why no red? Because, in my opinion, the challenge did not meet the criteria of excessive force or brutality. The referee made the correct decision.”
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