The former PGMOL chairman openly criticized the moment Richarlison choked Hugo Ekitike after scoring against Liverpool, saying it “should have been a red card” but was overlooked.
On 24 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the former chairman of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) expressed that Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison should have been shown a red card for the incident after scoring against Liverpool in a fiercely contested Premier League match last Saturday night.
The match was full of heavy clashes, with Spurs reduced to 10 men in the first half after Chuba Akpom was sent off, and later Christian Romero also received a red card. However, Richarlison, who scored to narrow the deficit in the 83rd minute, surprisingly escaped a red card.
The controversial moment happened immediately after the goal when the Brazilian forward tried to retrieve the ball from the net but fell on top of Hugo Ekitike, who had missed clearing the ball. Richarlison then placed his hand on the neck of the Liverpool striker, provoking displeasure and sparking a confrontation.
Although Dominik Szoboszlai was the one booked with a yellow card for the scuffle, causing him to miss the upcoming match against Wolverhampton this weekend, Keith Hackett, former PGMOL chief, believes Richarlison should have faced harsher punishment.
“There is no doubt that Richarlison is a fierce player and someone referees have to watch closely,” Hackett told Football Insider.
“In this moment, we clearly see him placing his hand on the opponent’s neck while the other player was trying to get up. There was considerable pressure applied.”
“This could clearly have been a red card, but it was overlooked both by the on-field referee and VAR. In the end, nothing happened.”
“It should have been a red card. Richarlison, be careful with your behavior,” Hackett concluded.
