Referee Luis Godinho has been criticized for booking England captain, Harry Kane with a yellow card during The Three Lions’ Euro 2024 qualifier win against Malta on Friday.
Recall that an own-goal from Enrico Pepe and a goal from Kane gave England a 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley.
During the encounter, Kane was fouled in the box by Henry Bonello after the goalkeeper sloppily gave away possession to the host.
But instead of pointing to the penalty spot, referee Godinho blew for a free-kick and booked Kane for simulation.
The Bayern Munich striker was baffled by the decision, with VAR not overturning the on-field decision.
Speaking on the development, Tottenham Hotspur striker, Jermaine Defoe said on Channel 4 that the referee was wrong to give Kane a yellow card.
“When I first saw it, I thought it was a penalty and when you slow it down you see the contact.
“Harry’s very clever in that he sticks his left leg out a little bit to make the contact but I don’t think it’s a yellow card,” Defoe said.
On his part, Chelsea star, Joe Cole agreed with Defoe adding: “Harry’s bought it. The goalkeeper’s made a wreck and he’s come out.
“What Harry’s done is go, ‘go on, go on, hit me – contact, I’m going down’. In the rules of the game it is a penalty. I think the referee is rash, he got that one wrong.”
Also, former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott said: “I definitely don’t think it’s a yellow but if he gives a pen I am not debating.”
