Keith Hackett: Joao Pedro red v Brentford 'harsh' as referees monitor Brighton star
22/04/2025 07:39
Brighton attacker Joao Pedro was sent off in his side’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford, and Keith Hackett has given his reaction to dismiss the Brazilian.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider he thought the decision to send off the former Watford man for his clash with Nathan Collins was somewhat harsh.
A 4-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday (19 April) looks to have put further scrutiny on Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler.
His side though were not helped in this match by the red card shown to Pedro, who has previously escaped sanction for some controversial moments this season.
Joao Pedro sees red after swing at Nathan Collins
During the reverse fixture between these two, Pedro was lucky not to be sent off for swinging an elbow at Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk, seemingly being saved by a lack of contract.
Not long after that, the Brighton striker was again fortunate not to be sent off for intentionally colliding with Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, leaving his opponent in need of treatment on the pitch.
On this occasion though, the Brazilian did not escape a sending off following a clash with Collins on the hour-mark of this match.
| Joao Pedro key 2024/25 Brighton stats | Total (from Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 |
| Red Cards | 1 |
As the pair jostled for possession, Pedro could be seen to swing out at the Brentford with his arm and leg after the ball had run loose.
That led to referee Tim Robinson issuing a red card to the Brighton man, with VAR confirming the decision after deeming the striker’s actions to be violent conduct.
Now, Hackett believes that this was far from the most clearcut red card, and that Pedro’s recent history may have worked against him this incident.
‘Brighton man’s history may be leading to added scrutiny’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked what he made of the decision to send Pedro off, and if his past controversies may contribute to him being watched more closely by officials, the former referee said:
“I think that what you do throughout the season is adjust, but I think the main starting point is at what point do you ensure that your referees apply the law in terms of the safety of opponents.
“We have seen this season stronger offences than that for which a red cards not been given, I think the referee has probably done the right thing.
“The red card wasn’t reviewed by VAR so presumably they’re satisfied with the decision. On the face of it looks pretty harsh. It looks more a yellow card then it does a red, to me.
“Players do gain reputation and referees become aware of the difficult players, and then if they’re doing their job keep an eye on them in order to maintain control.
“But on the face of it there it looks a bit harsh. I think the referee’s got a good view of it, he’s not hesitated, he’s decided it’s a straight red.
“He probably has got a better view than we have with the video, but I think if referees are going to penalise this type of offence they’ve got to be across it, all of them, when it happens and all of them achieve a sense of consistency.
“If they do that it will be to the benefit of the game. You can’t use your elbows as a weapon, there is a suspicion that is what he’s done, in fairness to the referee well done to him, for taking that route.
“But I still believe there have been similar incidents this season that have been punished.”
With Pedro now facing a three-match ban, the Brighton striker is set to miss home games against West Ham and Newcastle, before an away trip to Wolves.
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