Keith Hackett says referee should be suspended over ‘career-threatening’ Phil Foden incident vs Uruguay
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Credit: ITV Sport / Imago Mon 30 March 2026 13:30, UK Sven Jablonski deserves to be punished after missing a dangerous challenge on Manchester City‘s Phil Foden against Uruguay.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the England star could have been seriously hurt at Wembley Stadium on Friday, 27 March.In the 50th minute, the 25-year-old was wiped out by Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, with replays showing clearly studs high on the player’s ankle, but VAR failed to intervene after the referee missed it.Hackett believes that, had this happened with a PGMOL official, they would be suspended by the FA, but there is still hope that Foden will be fit for Man City’s upcoming clash with Liverpool. ⚽ Man City Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, tactical previews and expert breakdowns for every Manchester City fixture. VISIT THE MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett wants further action after Phil Foden incidentThomas Tuchel was absolutely outraged by the Uruguay defender’s challenge, with supporters all over Wembley Stadium expecting a red card to be produced following a VAR review.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Referees’ mindset should be that there are no friendly fixtures, but I got the impression from this referee that it was just a friendly.
When you get a challenge like this, which borders on career-threatening, it covers everything.EnglandStatsUruguay54%Possession46%13Total shots92Big chances17Fouls committed127Corners01Yellow cards2“It’s not in doubt. There’s excessive force, it’s out of control, there’s malice written all over it; malice and frustration.
But the referee doesn’t send him off, and you’re gobsmacked.”What do we know about the Man City star’s injury?Tuchel has said very little in terms of an update on Foden’s injury status, but recent images would suggest that the playmaker has returned to training at the Three Lions’ camp.Mick Brown told Football Insider that Foden is a problem for Tuchel, having failed to impress against Uruguay before having to be taken off, with very little time left to secure his spot on the plane.Araujo might have ruined the Man City star’s chances of going to the 2026 World Cup, but with one friendly fixture remaining against Japan, there is still an opportunity to change that.Of course, the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have all left the camp, while Foden’s teammate, John Stones, has also returned to the Etihad for medical checks.England fans might get treated to another Foden performance on Tuesday, 31 March. Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Man City Insider Access Get the full story from the Etihad Stadium and CFA with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Etihad Campus.