According to a report by Football Insider on Saturday, October 31, 2026, former Premier League refereeing chief Keith Hackett has criticised Peter Bankes for failing to award Chelsea a penalty immediately during Manchester United's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

The controversial incident involved Lisandro Martinez and Wesley Fofana, with the Manchester United defender receiving a second yellow card following a VAR intervention.

Hackett believes the match official had a sufficiently clear view of the challenge to make the correct decision without assistance from the video officials.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief argued that Bankes should have recognised the infringement when Martinez made contact with Fofana inside the penalty area.

Martinez had already been booked for bringing down Morgan Rogers shortly before the incident.

However, his afternoon ended prematurely when he challenged Fofana as Chelsea delivered the resulting free-kick into the United penalty area.

Bankes initially allowed play to continue, but VAR official James Bell reviewed the footage and instructed him to examine the incident on the pitchside monitor.

After reviewing the replay, Bankes awarded Chelsea a penalty and showed Martinez a second yellow card, leaving United with ten players.

Hackett explained that the defender's approach to the aerial challenge was the decisive factor in the decision.

"The player has led with his arm into his opponent in a reckless manner," Hackett told Football Insider.

"Referee Bankes is in a great viewing position, but awarded a corner kick.

"That is disappointing it was an easy decision.

Well done VAR James Bell for his intervention.

The correct outcome that really should have been made by Bankes without the intervention of VAR."

Cole Palmer subsequently converted the penalty, adding to Morgan Rogers' earlier goal to complete Chelsea's 2-0 victory.

VAR was also involved in another significant moment, ruling out an Estevao goal after the forward was found to be offside.

The dismissal means Martinez will miss Manchester United's next Premier League fixture against Aston Villa through suspension.

Despite the criticism directed at Bankes, the incident demonstrated how VAR can correct an important refereeing decision when the on-field official misses an infringement.

Hackett's assessment was that the intervention produced the right result, even though he believed the referee should have reached that conclusion independently.