Everton: Ex-FIFA official reacts as Jordan Pickford caught up in 'reckless' England controversy

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was involved in controversy as England played out a drab goalless draw against Ghana.

The Three Lions failed to follow up on a promising 4-2 victory against Croatia to start their World Cup 2026 campaing.

Thomas Tuchel's men put in a drab, forgettable performance at Boston's Gillette Stadium, to bring a bit of a reality check.

England's best chances came late on, with Nico O'Reilly hitting the crossbar and Harry Kane smashing the rebound over the crossbar.

Pickford was largely a bystander in goal for England, with Ghana mustering just one shot on target in an attritional performance.

But he was still involved in a couple of the game's biggest moments, and was perhaps lucky to escape punishment for one of them.

Jordan Pickford escapes punishment after England vs Ghana flashpoint

Most of the action took place well away from Pickford's goal, though there was the odd moment of panic at the back for England.

One such incident saw Pickford rush out of his goal to take evasive action against Ghana forward Prince Adu, who was looking to latch onto a long punt.

Pickford and Adu clattered into one another, and the former was awarded a free-kick, much to the consternation of Ghana and their head coach Carlos Queiroz.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett thinks the Everton number one was fortunate to escape a booking.

He said: "Frankly both players appeared to fail to challenge for the ball. I was surprised that the referee awarded a free kick to England.

"In my opinion Pickford's actions were reckless and he should have received a yellow card.

"The game restarting with a free kick to Ghana was an error by the Honduran referee Said Martinez."

What did Jordan Pickford say about England vs Ghana controversy?

Pickford typically fronted up again the game to speak to the media and give his reaction to the game.

Speaking to ITV Football, Pickford was asked a couple of times about his collision with Adu.

But the 32-year-old remained steadfast in his belief that the contact was actually initiated by his opponent.

He said: "No (I wasn't concerned) because I knew he hit me I didn't hit him.

"I kind of saw him touch it, I stepped out the way, and he's volleyed me in the shins. I managed to get out the way because I'm in a front foot position, he just got the ball.

"That's what the staff want from me, to be connected with the team. There wasn't any drama there, I was relaxed."