Keith Hackett: Darren England 'ducked' Adam Wharton red in Fulham vs Crystal Palace

03/31/2025 11:30 AM

Keith Hackett has blasted referee Darren England for not sending off Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton during his side’s FA Cup win over Fulham.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the official could have given the England international a straight red, let alone a second yellow, for kicking out at Rodrigo Muniz.

Wharton was below-par despite Crystal Palace beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage to secure their place in the semi finals of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon (29 March).

Indeed, the 21-year-old was lucky to be on the pitch for much more than 20 minutes of that game, following some rash moments in the opening exchanges.

Adam Wharton escaped sending off against Fulham

Having already been booked after just 14 minutes, Wharton was the involved in a clash with Fulham attacker Muniz just inside his own half little over five minutes later.

Replays would show that the Crystal Palace midfielder had aimed a kick at his opponent, with many of the home side calling for Wharton to receive a second yellow card.

The referee though, elected not to dismiss the 21-year-old, with Hackett previously describing England as “lenient” for not sending Wharton off, suggesting he could have received another yellow card.

Meanwhile, Fulham manager Marco Silva could be facing FA action after criticising the decision not to issue a red card, which would undoubtedly have helped his team.

Upon further review, Hackett has now gone further with his analysis of the situation, suggesting Wharton could have received a straight red card, and taking aim at England for not sending him off.

Darren England blasted over Crystal Palace decision

Speaking to Football Insider about the Crystal Palace midfielder’s challenge in the wake of those comments from Silva, the former referee said:

“Now let’s look at Wharton. There’s no doubt in my mind, at the very minimum, Wharton should have received a yellow card. I can put up a very very strong case, that he’s kicked out at his opponent.

“He doesn’t have to make contact, it’s reckless and it’s with excessive force, and I can make strong case out that it’s a straight red for Wharton, despite what people might think.

“But the very minimum is a yellow, and he should have walked anyway. The referee had that opportunity, I think he ducked it.

“I think the referee decided to keep him on, I think that it’s that type of decision that stimulates somebody like the manager to make the comments. At the very minimum that is a yellow card and you cannot ignore it, and he has done.”

Having won through that clash with Fulham, Crystal Palace will now face Aston Villa in the semi finals of the FA Cup at Wembley next month.

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