Breaking news: Joao Pedro Exclusive: ‘Officials to get advice after unacceptable Brighton incident.

Keith Hackett believes Joao Pedro should have been sent off for Brighton in their win against Ipswich after a challenge on opposition custodian Christian Walton.

The former PGMOL chairman and ex-FIFA official told Football Insider exclusively that the attacker knew exactly what he was doing when he collided with Walton on Thursday night (16 January). Fabien Hurzeler’s side broke an eight-game Premier League winless streak with a 2-0 victory over the Tractor Boys at Portman Road. The first of those goals came from Karou Mitoma 59 minutes in, but Hackett believes Brighton should have been granted a man advantage moments earlier, after Pedro’s challenge.

Joao Pedro should have had ‘nailed on red card’ in Brighton win

With 54 minutes on the clock, Pedro was pursuing a loose ball into the Ipswich penalty area, only to see Walton arrive before him and clear it. Despite this, the Brighton attacker continued to rush at full speed and collided with Walton, who was playing against his previous team, leaving the custodian on the ground and appearing to require medical attention. Referee Tony Harrington subsequently chose to issue Pedro a yellow card for the challenge, and VAR confirmed his decision rather than requesting a review. Hackett believes that the attacker should have been dismissed for the offence, and that officials will be questioned about their choice not to award one.

When asked by Football Insider whether the Brighton player should have been sent off for his challenge on Walton, the former referee responded: “This is a clear red card for Serious Foul Play. He understands exactly what he’s doing. This is an excessive force challenge that puts the goalkeeper’s safety at risk. “Referees should not wait for the outcome to determine whether the custodian is harmed or not. This is completely unacceptable, and I would recommend that the Referee and VAR seek operational assistance. “Here is the law: Serious foul play. “Any tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent’s safety or employs undue force or brutality shall be considered significant foul play.

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