Keith Hackett blasts VAR after controversial Juventus vs Galatasaray footage is analysed
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Credit: Getty Images Keith Hackett blasts VAR after controversial Juventus vs Galatasaray footage is analysed Thu 26 February 2026 7:45, UK Keith Hackett has insisted that Lloyd Kelly should not have been sent off in Juventus’ 7-5 aggregate defeat to Galatasaray on Wednesday.The Italian giants were on the verge of completing a stunning comeback in the Champions League knockout playoffs as they came from 5-2 down in the first leg to force extra time at the Allianz Stadium.This proved to be as far as they could go, as Galatasaray scored twice in extra time to lose 3-2 on the night but win 7-5 overall.However, Juventus will have felt that they could have completed the comeback if Kelly had not been sent off for a dubious challenge in the second half, which forced the hosts to play an hour of action with 10 players.Read more: Juventus in fresh contact for Guglielmo Vicario, it could have serious ramifications for LiverpoolKeith Hackett: VAR should not have intervened over Lloyd Kelly foulEarly in the second half, Kelly was given a second yellow card after he landed on Baris Yilmaz after jumping for a header.However, VAR was quick to intervene and advised referee Joao Pinheiro to upgrade this to a straight red after a review. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES This decision was highly unpopular, with Hackett exclusively telling Football Insider that the intervention of VAR was wrong, with the foul not being a clear and obvious error.Lloyd Kelly receives a straight red card after VAR review for a challenge on Yılmaz 🔴@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9v1LiIvVJJ— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2026 He said: “The judgment initially of awarding a yellow card should not have then resulted in the intervention of VAR.“The referee had made his decision, which was not a clear and obvious error.“Certainly not a red card.”Read more: Supercomputer drops new prediction for Champions League qualification after Man United and Liverpool winsWhat was the pundit’s reaction to Kelly’s red card?Kelly’s dismissal was certainly contentious.There appeared to be no malice in the action, and it was just unfortunate that the defender made contact with Yilmaz on the way down.As a result, many pundits at the time were furious with the decision, including Curtis Davies.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on 25 February, the former Derby County defender was quick to come to Kelly’s support, believing that VAR was also wrong to intervene.He said: “Absolute disgrace of a decision. Lloyd Kelly goes up for a header, he’s gone for the header cleanly.
His feet have to land on the ground somewhere. Where is he meant to put his feet?“I understand Lloyd Kelly’s frustration.