Pep Guardiola Gianni Infantino Rayan Ait-Nouri, Man City FIFA
Credit: Getty Images / DAZN via YouTube
Keith Hackett
Tue 1 July 2025 13:13, UK
FIFA broke their own rules and caused “avoidable” chaos in Man City’s surprise defeat at the hands of Al-Hilal, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that “there is a clear protocol” and the governing body had broken their own rules.
Few would have expected City to lose to Al-Hilal, but that has been the story of the Club World Cup (CWC) this summer.
The Sky Blues were one of the favourites to win the tournament, but even without Everton target Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Saudi Arabian side were confident and purposeful in attack.
The Saudi Pro League side held Real Madrid to a draw in the group stages of the tournament, and thanks to two goals from Marcos Leonardo, plus a goal each from former Chelsea man Kalidou Koulibaly and Malcom, Simone Inzaghi’s team claimed victory over the Sky Blues.
However, the match was not without controversy, especially after both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ilkay Gundogan handled the ball in the build-up to City’s opener.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Al-Hilal protest after Man City goal shown on big screen
The Camping World Stadium, much like many of the USA’s stadiums, is adorned with mammoth screens at either end of the ground.
And following City‘s controversial opener, a replay of the goal was shown to the 42,000 supporters in attendance.
However, the replay could also be seen by the 22 players on the pitch, and seeing the ball strike the arm of Ait-Nouri sent Al-Hilal‘s players and staff into a frenzy.
The Saudi Arabian side protested to referee Jesus Valenzuela Saez and refused to kick off after the goal, delaying the game for four minutes, before the man in the middle announced his decision over the stadium’s PA system.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Man City
Rayan Ait-Nouri appeared to handle the ball in the build-up to Man City’s opener. (Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media)
FIFA broke their own rules by showing goal
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider,ex-PGMOL chief Hackett explained why FIFA had broken their own rules, bemoaning an “avoidable” incident.
He said: “There is a clear protocol that any controversial incidents should not be shown on the big screen and FIFA, the tournament organisers, have broken their own competition rules.
“They will state that they were replaying a goal.
“The players’ protest to the referee was so avoidable had that controversial incident not been shown.”
Al-Hilal will take on Brazilian side Fluminense in the quarter-finals after the Thiago Silva-led Serie A team upset Inter 2-0.
Related Posts