Joao Neves, Marc Cucurella, Chelsea, PSG
Credit: Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube / DAZN
Keith Hackett
Mon 14 July 2025 12:00, UK
PSG star Joao Neves is likely to face further punishment after being sent off during the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the use of VAR in tandem with referee Alireza Faghani was spot on as the 20-year-old’s yellow card was upgraded.
Emotions were running high as Luis Enrique’s side handed a shock defeat in the Club World Cup final, with frustrations even bubbling over at full-time between the PSG manager and Joao Pedro.
The Blues’ striker scored just before the half-time whistle, adding to Cole Palmer‘s audacious 30-minute brace at the MetLife Stadium, and matters only got worse for the Champions League holders late on.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
PSG frustrated by Club World Cup final defeat
It was a feisty affair between the Champions League winners and Europa Conference League winners, with Pedro Neto avoiding a sending off, as well as cautions for Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Ousmane Dembele, and Nuno Mendes.
Referee Faghani kept composure throughout the game, but with Marc Cucurella clearly getting on Neves’ bad side in the latter stages, there was no other option but to give the midfielder his marching orders.
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There were several incidents of hair pulls on the Spanish full-back in recent seasons, with Jack Stephens, Cristian Romero, and David Brooks all sent off for similar actions, though they all received different sanctions.
Hackett, who was extremely clear on Nicolas Jackson’s sending off against Flamengo earlier in the tournament, is now expecting FIFA to take action on the player moving forward.
Chelsea star targeted with violent conduct
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “On this occasion, it’s out to the right, so I wonder if the referee had the clearest view. What I did think was that this is what VAR is for.
“VAR is coming in and advising the referee that there was an act of violent conduct. This is VAR working as it should. Notice, the position of the monitor was in a tunnel, away from spectators, the glare of the sun, and any intervention from players or managers.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett expects the PSG star to be punished.
“We might learn a bit in terms of how we position the monitor at games. On the punishment, for sure [an extended ban to be awarded]. On social media, one or two were surprised, but that is the law.
“It’s violent conduct, so the referee and VAR did really well. I was rather surprised, but you never know what’s being said off the ball.”
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