By Keith Hackett

5th Dec, 2022 | 1:29pm

Ex-Fifa official: Man City star John Stones lucky to escape major punishment as controversial footage analysed

Man City defender John Stones was fortunate not to give away a penalty kick in England’s 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday (4 December), according to Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Stones’ arm was in a natural position when Senegal appealed for a penalty for handball but other officials would have pointed to the spot.

As shown on the full match replay on ITVX, Ismaila Sarr wanted a penalty when his close-range short appeared to hit the arm of Stones after bouncing up from his knee.

VAR reviewed the incident and felt referee Ivan Barton had not made a clear and obvious error so did not instruct him to go to the pitchside monitor.

“I’m not giving a penalty kick but I’ve seen them given,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“I think that is a natural scenario, it’s hit the underside of his arm so I’m not giving a penalty kick for that but I have seen them given.

“That’s the problem. Defenders have got to be so careful that their arms are in a natural position.

“Certainly, if I was refereeing the game, I wouldn’t give a penalty kick but like I say, we have seen them given.”

The incident occurred in the 22nd minute when the scores were level shortly before England scored twice before half time.

Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane scored before the break and Bukayo Saka rounded off the victory just before the hour mark.

In other news, “Man City are powerless” as an Erling Haaland “suspension” is mooted after a major reveal.