Credit: Imago / TNT Sports

Harri Burton

Mon 11 August 2025 12:46, UK

Adam Wharton was fortunate to go unpunished following the Crystal Palace star’s “reckless” challenge on Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong, according to Keith Hackett.

'Obvious' - Ex-FIFA ref slams missed Sam Smith red card in Southampton v Wrexham	Authorities must do more after Crystal Palace fan incident at Wembley - Ex-FIFA ref	'Unfair' - Sarr's equaliser 'should have been disallowed' v Liverpool says ex-FIFA ref

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while many fans were calling for a red card over the incident, a yellow card would have sufficed for the 21-year-old midfielder.

Oliver Glasner‘s side were victorious at Wembley Stadium once again, lifting yet another trophy on Sunday, 10 August, after beating Man City in the FA Cup final just three months prior.

Palace’s exit-linked Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised from the penalty spot following Hugo Ekitike’s outrageous opener for Arne Slot’s side, with Frimpong netting with an audacious lob shortly after.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Ismaila Sarr could have seen his late equaliser ruled out due to a foul on Cody Gakpo in the build-up, but with referee Chris Kavanagh allowing the goal to stand, the Eagles were forced to win via penalties.

Following the game, however, an image of Wharton’s high tackle on Frimpong began to circulate, with many questioning how the England international remained on the pitch due to the incident.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

In addition to that, VAR did not get involved, not telling Kavanagh to take another look, leading to some fans suggesting that the challenge had been overlooked by the officials at Wembley Stadium.

Adam Wharton’s studs-up challenge on Jeremie Frimpong.

With just four yellow cards in his last two Premier League campaigns, Wharton is hardly a vicious player on the pitch, but having caught the Liverpool player with a follow-through, Hackett expected a reaction.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Wharton’s challenge, the former referee said: “For me, I think it’s a reckless challenge, but I don’t think there’s excessive force.

Therefore, it should have been a yellow card, and VAR cannot come in on that.

“But to actually give nothing was not an option.

These are ones where VAR ought to open its door a little to say, ‘Look, referee, re-referee this one.

Of course, they don’t.

Jeremie Frimpong was on the end of a nasty challenge.

Given that shot, while many people are saying it should have been a sending off, I’d have been happy with a yellow.

“You cannot give nothing for that challenge, though.