Rico Lewis, Pep Guardiola, Man City
Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Keith Hackett
Wed 25 June 2025 20:25, UK
Man City should have expected a different outcome after appealing against Rico Lewis’ red card against Wydad Casablanca, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 20-year-old’s suspension should have been lifted following a review from the tournament’s panel.
Pep Guardiola‘s side kicked off their Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over Wydad, though it was far from simple, before a 6-0 victory over Al Ain on Monday, 23 June, but Lewis was not able to play.
Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri have all made their debuts in America, helping City to set up a top-of-the-table clash with Juventus on Thursday, 26 June.
Rico Lewis set to miss crucial Man City clash v Juventus
Following Lewis’ wrongful sending-off for Man City, one which Hackett accused the referee of avoiding being sent home, the Citizens appealed the decision, but to no avail.
The right-back is now set to miss the final game of the group stage and the round of 16 clash, leaving many supporters frustrated by the process at the Club World Cup due to the appeal process.
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Many fans were expecting the academy graduate to be available for the upcoming game, but due to the club’s decision to appeal, his punishment has now doubled.
Fellow Premier League side Chelsea face a similar problem, with Nicolas Jackson now missing for two matches for Enzo Maresca, though his challenge was a clear sending-off.
Pep Guardiola Man City
Pep Guardiola will be without Rico Lewis against Juventus. (Credit Imago)
Pep Guardiola allowed to be disappointed by red card review
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I still believe very clearly that there was doubt in the decision, and the player should have been given the benefit of the doubt.
“It’s easy to sit around the table and make a judgment, but on serious foul play, the law says that there must be aggression, to some degree, and show a degree of malice.
“It did have excessive force, and it did anger the opponent, but that is the line in the sand that the panel have drawn on. But I think they’ve forgotten that malice is needed for a challenge.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett was baffled by the decision to uphold Rico Lewis’ ban.
“He’s gone for the ball, he’s not lifted his leg on purpose. Manchester City were right to appeal, and they have a right to feel disappointed that their appeal was overturned. I feel the same.
“They have this panel, which includes former players, and it worries me that they cannot come to the right conclusion. They’ve got to read the law. The law uses the word ‘malice’, which wasn’t used.
“If you fall down, your feet come up. They’ve forgotten about body mechanics. I just don’t think they’ve gone into it deeply enough.”
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