Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards have shot down suggestions that Fernandinho should have been sent off in Man City's Carabao Cup win over Arsenal.
City ran out 4-1 winners in the game, comfortably seeing off an out-of-form Arsenal side, but things may have been different just before the half-hour mark when Fernandinho collided with Arsenal midfielder Ceballos when challenging for a corner.
Ceballos went down clutching his face after Fernandinho raised his hand when grappling to get ahead of his man.
Nothing was given for the incident, with Fernandinho escaping punishment, and, unlike in the Premier League, there is no VAR in the Carabao Cup until the semi-finals, meaning the decision could not be reviewed.
Yet Sky Sports pundits Redknapp and Richards played down the incident.
Redknapp argued that, whilst VAR is unpredictable enough that it could have been given a red card, it would not have been if he was in charge.
He said: "I’d like to think VAR would have said, 'Ceballos, get up'.
"It’s a little bit of a slap, but get up and get on with the game. Sometimes if they go to VAR, it might be a red, but it’s not for me.
"Maybe a yellow for Fernandinho, but not enough."
Former City defender Richards agreed, arguing Ceballos accused of making a meal of the situation.
"I agree," he said. "They probably would’ve looked at it. You’re not allowed to raise your hands, so maybe a yellow card.
"I don’t think it’s a red card, that would be taking it a little bit overboard. Ceballos makes a meal of it, like he’s had a real big crack in the face."
