Referee Luis Godinho under fire for giving Harry Kane yellow card

<p>Referee Luis Godinho has been criticized for booking England captain, Harry Kane with a yellow card during The Three Lions’ Euro 2024 qualifier win against Malta on Friday.</p>, <p>Recall that an own-goal from Enrico Pepe and a goal from Kane gave England a 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley.</p>, <p>During the encounter, Kane was fouled in the box by Henry Bonello after the goalkeeper sloppily gave away possession to the host.</p>, <p>But instead of pointing to the penalty spot, referee Godinho blew for a free-kick and booked Kane for simulation.</p>, <p>The Bayern Munich striker was baffled by the decision, with VAR not overturning the on-field decision.</p>, <p>Speaking on the development, Tottenham Hotspur striker, Jermaine Defoe said on Channel 4 that the referee was wrong to give Kane a yellow card.</p>, <p>“When I first saw it, I thought it was a penalty and when you slow it down you see the contact.</p>, <p>“Harry’s very clever in that he sticks his left leg out a little bit to make the contact but I don’t think it’s a yellow card,” Defoe said.</p>, <p>On his part, Chelsea star, Joe Cole agreed with Defoe adding: “Harry’s bought it. The goalkeeper’s made a wreck and he’s come out.</p>, <p>“What Harry’s done is go, ‘go on, go on, hit me – contact, I’m going down’. In the rules of the game it is a penalty. I think the referee is rash, he got that one wrong.”</p>, <p>Also, former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott said: “I definitely don’t think it’s a yellow but if he gives a pen I am not debating.”</p>