Hackett questions VAR ruling on Trafford red card

A Tottenham win at the Etihad prompts a fresh debate over a potential red card for James Trafford and VAR's role.

Hackett questions VAR ruling on James Trafford red card in City defeat

Tottenham Hotspur stunned Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad after a key moment involving James Trafford. The City goalkeeper charged out of his box in the 39th minute and clashed with Mohammed Kudus, with a handball claim and a potential denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity at stake. A VAR review did not overturn the decision, leaving City to navigate the rest of the match with a reduced margin for error. Joao Palhinha bundled home a rebound later in the first half to seal Spurs’ lead.

Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL chief, told Football Insider that Trafford’s actions constituted a red card for DOGSO and a handball offence outside the area, a view that sparked immediate online and stadium debate as City supporters called for greater consistency from refereeing officials. Trafford finished the match having faced pressure but avoided dismissal, contributing to a narrative about VAR’s reach and limits in high-stakes games.

The episode highlights ongoing questions about how DOGSO and handball rules are applied when the offence occurs outside the box. VAR’s role in such moments remains contentious, dragging officials into post-match scrutiny and prompting speculation about how future rulings will be standardized across leagues. For Trafford, the incident underscores the heavy toll on young keepers when one decision can alter a career narrative, even as the team recovers in late-season pressure. Beyond this single game, the incident feeds a broader conversation about transparency, consistency, and the practical challenges referees face in fast-moving matches where every second counts.

Highlights

Fair play is earned when rules and refereeing live up to the game’s pace and pressure.