Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi believes Manchester City star Phil Foden should have been sent off for his dangerous tackle on Calvin Bassey during City’s 3–0 win in their midweek Premier League clash.
Three first-half goals in the space of 16 minutes from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly, and Erling Haaland sealed the victory, condemning the Cottagers to their 12th defeat of the season. However, the outcome could have taken a different turn if the 66th-minute incident involving Foden and Bassey had been adjudicated more firmly.
In an attempt to dispossess Bassey, Foden stepped on the back of the Nigerian defender’s ankle, but referee Paul Tierney issued only a yellow card, while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) chose not to intervene — a decision that sparked widespread debate.
Several pundits, fans, and former referee Dermot Gallagher have since criticised the call, arguing that the challenge warranted a red card.
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Iwobi, who was on the pitch at the time of the incident, also suggested that a dismissal would have been the correct decision and could have handed his side a crucial advantage.
“I’ve seen the challenge on Calvin. I have big respect for Phil Foden but, ref, surely, what’s going on there?” Iwobi said in his match vlog on YouTube.
“I’ve seen people online saying it should have been a red. Of course, Phil Foden is a top player and I like him — he’s a big baller. Obviously, they’ll say it’s nice to have 11 men on the pitch but when we needed an advantage, we needed it.
“That challenge was a bit much, but it is what it is. The game is done, we can’t dwell on that, we’ve got to move on.”
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