Alex Scott, England U21s, Bournemouth
Credit: Imago / Channel 4
Keith Hackett
Mon 30 June 2025 15:04, UK
Bournemouth star Alex Scott was lucky not to be sent off as England Under-21s pipped Germany to the Euro U21 title, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that it was clear to see the midfielder taking revenge after previously being wiped out by Eric Martel on Saturday, 28 June.
After being taken out earlier in the game, the 21-year-old was forced off through injury, but not without clattering the opposition’s deadly striker, Nick Woltemade, before swapping with Tyler Morton.
Hackett believes referee Sander van der Eijk had every right to show a red card instead of cautioning the player, which could have changed the game completely for Lee Carsley‘s side.
Alex Scott avoids sending-off in Euro U21 final
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who could join Brighton this summer, Football Insider understands, opened the scoring after just five minutes before Omari Hutchinson doubled the lead for the Three Lions.
Germany hit back through Nelson Weiper, and then again through Paul Nebel, taking the game to extra time, before Jonathan Rowe scored the eventual winner just two minutes after kick-off.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
The Three Lions were able to retain their Euro U21 crown in Slovakia, but had the referee chosen to send Scott off in the first half, it could have been a very different game.
England
Lee Carsley’s side could have gone down to 10 men in the final. (Credit: Imago)
England U21s ‘fortunate’ to have 10 men after Alex Scott’s challenge
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “He got him back, didn’t he? You can see that. It’s close [to a red card]. He was off the ground, and there was a degree of malice, so he was fortunate not to receive a red.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett believes Alex Scott could have received a red card.
“The manager has done really well by substituting him immediately after this. The manager will have seen this the same way I did – you cannot do it. It’s easy to say, sitting in a seat, that passion doesn’t run through. But that doesn’t give the player an excuse.
“Scott has received a yellow, but he’s rather fortunate not to receive a red. You can see the malice. We referees aren’t daft. You can see the reaction of his colleagues; they know exactly what he’s done.”
Related Posts