Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has spoken out regarding his hard tackle on Phil Foden during the friendly match between Uruguay and England. The challenge sparked criticism and left England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel visibly upset, with many commentators suggesting Araujo was fortunate not to receive a red card.
Araujo explained he did not intend to harm Foden but was focused on winning the ball: "It was a hard tackle, but obviously I went for the ball with no intention. After the game, I sent him a message, and he told me he was fine and that it's just part of football. Sometimes things are blown out of proportion, but everyone knows me and knows I’m not malicious," he said, as reported by Marca.
He acknowledged that reviewing the replay shows the tackle was strong, but emphasized that both the referee and VAR were present to monitor on-field incidents: "The important thing is that I spoke with him, and he told me it was nothing and that these things happen in football. I take that away from it."
This episode has reignited debate in England regarding refereeing standards and VAR usage, especially around challenges that risk player safety. English fans and experts believe such tackles should be punished more severely, even in friendly matches.
Araujo and Uruguay will face Algeria in another friendly match on Tuesday. The defender’s comments provide valuable context, showing that robust physical play is part of football competition and must be evaluated fairly without undue drama.
