Brazil's forward Vinicius Junior reacts after being tackled late by Morocco's Achraf Hakimi in the 2026 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Morocco at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 13, 2026.
Image: Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
Benni McCarthy was left dumbfounded after Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi’s wild challenge on Brazilian Vinícius Júnior went unpunished in the Fifa World Cup Group C opener in New Jersey on Saturday evening.
Morocco and Brazil played to a 1-1 draw, with the Real Madrid superstar netting the equalizer after Ismael Saibari’s opener for the AFCON champions.
But according to Bafana legend McCarthy, the Paris Saint-Germain star wingback should have been given his marching orders for a tackle on Vinícius Júnior.
The Brazilian had pushed the ball past Hakimi, but the Moroccan skipper followed through with his challenge and sent Vinícius Júnior tumbling to the ground.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić did not even issue a free-kick to Brazil — let alone a card — which incensed McCarthy, especially after Bafana were handed two red cards in their opening game against Mexico for much less violent play.
“If that was a South African player, he would be gone,” McCarthy said on SportyTV about the refereeing double standards.
“Without even VAR intervening, and people telling in the referee’s ear there: ‘Listen, just have a look and give your professional opinion on that.’
“That was very naughty from Hakimi. He proper caught Vinny Jnr. I know it's not deliberate, but he caught him.
“Tell me about the bias towards certain countries, and certain players. When it's Afrique du Sud (South Africa), then it's a different ball game.”
McCarthy’s comments were backed up by former Manchester United and Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov.
“Listen, I have to be honest — when I saw Hakimi’s challenge on Vinícius Júnior tonight, I couldn’t believe what I was watching. The boy was away, dangerous, and Hakimi comes in late with the studs showing, catching him on the ankle. In my playing days, that is a red card. Potential red card, every single time. No question,” Berbatov said.
“Of course, I understand the referee. It’s a World Cup opener, big game, exciting match… he doesn’t want to ruin the spectacle with an early sending-off. But that is not the point.
“Officiating is not about managing the occasion or keeping the game flowing at all costs. It demands you make the correct decision, without bias, without fear, without thinking about the score or the names on the shirts. If it’s a foul, it’s a foul. If it’s a red, you give the red.
“What is completely unthinkable for me is that it wasn’t even a free-kick. Not even that. Nothing. For football, that is a sad moment.”