Rico Lewis Samuel Obeng, Man City Wydad Casablanca
(Credit: DAZN)
Keith Hackett
Wed 18 June 2025 20:16, UK
Keith Hackett has given his verdict after analysing Rico Lewis’s red card for Man City against Wydad Casablanca and explained why VAR “cannot intervene”.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Ramon Abatti was “ideally positioned” to make a judgement call on the tackle.
City cruised to a 2-0 victory over Wydad thanks to a record-setting goal from Phil Foden and a smart finish from Jeremy Doku.
The Sky Blues are the current champions of the Club World Cup (CWC) and will be keen to become the first back-to-back winners since Real Madrid won the competition in three consecutive years between 2016 and 2018.
But despite easing to a win in their opening match at the Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL team Philadelphia Eagles, Pep Guardiola will be without Rico Lewis when they take on Al-Ain.
Rico Lewis sent off for Man City in unusual circumstances
The use of pyrotechnics and flares looked to be the main cause for concern for Man City, as play was temporarily halted.
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That was until Lewis flew into a 50-50 challenge with second-half substitute Samuel Obeng.
City’s defender won the ball, but as he did so, the 20-year-old’s foot followed through and caught the Ghanaian forward on the chin.
Abatti was positioned close by and showed no hesitation in brandishing a red card for the England international.
Despite appeals from Lewis, City’s players, and Guardiola after the game, the Brazilian referee appeared confident in his decision to show the tournament’s fourth red card.
Rico Lewis Man City
Rico Lewis was shown a red card for his foul in the 88th minute. (Credit Imago)
Keith Hackett gives verdict on Rico Lewis red card
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett gave his insight as to why VAR were unable to intervene on the decision.
He said: “The referee is ideally positioned to judge this challenge and makes a subjective decision to send off the player.
“VAR cannot intervene because it cannot be considered that the referee has made a clear and obvious error.
“It is frankly a coming together of two players and for me, a yellow card would have been sufficient.”
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