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Exclusive: Sanction claim as Leicester’s Mavididi ‘launched’ into Newcastle’s Tonali
Keith Hackett
4 minutes
Referee Rob Jones and Leicester winger Stephy Mavididi
(Credit: Sky Sports / Getty Images)
Keith Hackett
Tue 8 April 2025 17:12, UK
Stephy Mavididi was very fortunate to avoid a punishment for his “reckless” tackle on Sandro Tonali in Leicester’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider the winger was fortunate not to be punished by referee Rob Jones after he “launched” himself into the tackle on the Italian.
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It was a miserable night for Leicester, as Newcastle ran riot in the first half and barely had to come out of first gear in the second.
Jacob Murphy continued his fine form with two goals inside the opening 11 minutes for the Magpies, with the second being a rebound off the bar after Fabian Schar took a shot from inside his own half.
Harvey Barnes then scored against his former side, leading to ironic celebrations from Leicester fans, with the Foxes’ supporters having not seen their team score in the Premier League since the end of January.
Stephy Mavididi makes ‘reckless’ tackle after frustrating Leicester results
With 81 minutes gone and a lifeless second half reaching its finality, the ball broke loose and headed into Tonali‘s path.
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As the Italian scanned and surveyed his options, he failed to notice Leicester’s substitute, Mavididi, sliding towards him.
The former AC Milan midfielder was toppled by the force of the challenge, with the English winger’s foot and studs firmly planted on Tonali’s lower calf.
Match stats Leicester Newcastle
Possession 58% 42%
Shots (on target) 7 (2) 16 (5)
Expected goals 0.47 3.26
Big chances (missed) 0 (0) 4 (1)
Corners 12 2
The tackle was a needless one and semingly borne out of frustration as Leicester once again were thoroughly outclassed by their opponents, as they have been since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over at the King Power.
As referee Rob Jones blew for a free kick, and waited for Tonali to receive treatment, Mavididi could be seen, hands on hips, shaking his head.
However, the former Montpellier man had no protests about Jones’ decision; it seemed the winger was more so in disbelief at just how easily Newcastle had found it to dismantle the home side.
Keith Hackett analyses Stephy Mavididi tackle in Leicester vs Newcastle
Having been asked by Football Insider for his expert take on the foul, former PGMOL chief Hackett explained why Jones had got it wrong with his decision, saying:
“The player [Mavididi] launched himself into the tackle on his opponent [Tonali], and it was a reckless challenge.
“He should have been sanctioned with a yellow card.”
Leicester will face off against Brighton in their next match on Saturday, 12 April.
Whilst not mathematically relegated, it seems improbable they will be able to avoid going down this season, with the gap to 17th-placed Wol
ves now at 15 points.
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