UEFA is set to issue a harsh punishment following a heated incident involving Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, according to former referee Keith Hackett.
Elliott, 22, has been a standout performer for England’s Under-21s at the European Championship in Slovakia. He scored in the 3-1 group stage victory over Czechia and netted again during the 3-1 quarter-final win against Spain on Saturday, 21 June.
However, tensions flared during the Spain match at the City Arena when Elliott was involved in a large on-pitch scuffle. The altercation escalated after Spain’s Rafa Marin grabbed Elliott by the neck—a move that resulted in Marin receiving a red card, according to the Express.
Hackett, speaking to Football Insider, suggested that UEFA may hand out strict penalties to deter future incidents. “Back when I worked with the PGMOL, any contact with an opponent’s face or neck was an automatic red card,” he explained. “UEFA will likely want to set an example here. A suspension of about five games is probable.”
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Despite the controversy, Elliott is expected to be available for England’s semi-final clash against the Netherlands on Wednesday, 25 June, where he’s expected to be a key figure once again.
Meanwhile, Elliott’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain. Commentator Ian Darke recently told Liverpool News 247 (14 June) that the midfielder may need to leave the club due to limited opportunities under new manager Arne Slot. Reports indicate that Wolves are among the clubs interested in signing him ahead of the 2025/26 campaign
