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Ex-Fifa official 'can't believe' Ivan Toney blunder after Brentford controversy - 'it gets worse every time you look at it'
Keith Hackett has claimed Brentford striker Ivan Toney was “so lucky” to avoid a red card for his challenge on Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested the VAR may not have given the incident the attention it deserved.
As seen in footage posted to Twitter (6 March), Toney caught Fulham midfielder Lukic with a late challenge – with the striker’s studs raking over the Serbia international and into his face after Lukic slid in for the ball.
Toney did not receive a card for the tackle and VAR did not choose to recommend an on-field review of the incident after a brief check.
The 26-year-old stepped up later in the match to dispatch a crucial penalty as Brentford beat their local rivals.
Toney will be banned for two games if he receives two more cautions before the Bees’ 32nd league fixture of the season.
He could be set for a lengthy ban regardless after pleading guilty to a number of breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think at the very least it should have been reviewed on the pitch.
“At least then the referee can make his mind up with all the facts in front of him.
“I think he’s so lucky to escape a red card.
“I can’t believe he’s not been given a yellow. There’s no question.
“It looks bad to start – and it gets worse every time you look at it.
“I’m not sure it was looked at as closely as it should have been.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Brentford among clubs ready to pounce for ex-Arsenal and Chelsea.