Alex Iwobi Voices Displeasure Over Refereeing Decision in Manchester City vs Fulham Clash
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has publicly criticized match official Paul Tierney for his handling of a contentious incident involving Manchester City star Phil Foden and teammate Calvin Bassey. The tackle occurred during Fulham's 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, with Iwobi arguing that Foden should have been sent off for the reckless challenge.
Details of the Controversial Tackle
In the second half of the Premier League fixture, with Manchester City already dominating the game, Phil Foden lunged at Calvin Bassey as the defender attempted to dribble away. Foden's studs made contact with Bassey's Achilles, causing the Nigerian international to fall to the ground in evident pain. Despite the severity of the challenge, referee Paul Tierney opted to show only a yellow card to Foden, a decision that has sparked widespread debate.
Bassey, who was one of Nigeria's standout performers at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, received treatment on the pitch but was able to continue. However, the incident left many questioning the consistency of Premier League officiating, particularly in light of similar red-card incidents earlier in the season.
Iwobi's Reaction and Fan Outcry
Speaking on his podcast, Alex Iwobi expressed his frustration with the refereeing decision. "Big respect to Phil Foden, but ref, surely, what is going on there? People are saying it should have been a red. I like him, he’s a big baller, but that challenge was a bit mad," Iwobi stated. The Fulham midfielder, who also featured prominently for Nigeria at AFCON 2025, emphasized that while the result could not be altered, the foul warranted stronger punishment.
Online supporters quickly drew comparisons to other high-profile incidents, such as Tottenham defender Cristian Romero's red card for a studs-up challenge on Casemiro earlier in the season. Fans pointed to what they perceived as a double standard, with Foden avoiding a sending-off despite similar contact. The Premier League Match Centre did not indicate that the incident was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee, adding to the frustration among Fulham supporters.
Expert Analysis from Former Referee
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher weighed in on the controversy during an appearance on Sky Sports. "I think it’s a red card," Gallagher asserted. "He’s lucky. He didn’t mean to do it, but he caught Bassey on the wrong foot with his studs. That’s the issue." Gallagher acknowledged that such decisions often hinge on interpretation but maintained that the nature of the contact made the challenge unacceptable under current guidelines.
Phil Foden, who had been recalled to Manchester City's starting lineup by manager Pep Guardiola after being substituted early in the previous Manchester derby, was himself taken off just five minutes after the incident, replaced by Rayan Cherki. However, the substitution did little to quell the growing debate over the officiating, which overshadowed the match's outcome.
Broader Implications for Fulham and Officiating Consistency
For Fulham, the defeat was a routine loss against a top-tier opponent, but the bigger concern centered on the well-being of Calvin Bassey, who was seen limping after the tackle. The club and its fans felt that Bassey had been unnecessarily put at risk by a challenge with minimal attempt to play the ball.
Alex Iwobi's comments highlight a recurring issue in football: the perceived lack of consistency in refereeing decisions. While the game is over, the midfielder's message underscores a call for greater uniformity in how such incidents are adjudicated moving forward. This incident adds to ongoing discussions about player safety and the effectiveness of VAR in the Premier League.
In related news, Alex Iwobi recently made headlines for his record-breaking performance in Fulham's 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Craven Cottage, further cementing his status as a key player for both club and country. As the Premier League season progresses, the fallout from this controversial tackle is likely to fuel further scrutiny of refereeing standards.
