Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Tottenham was upheld on the pitch because VAR determined the referee’s call wasn’t an obvious mistake.
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The Manchester United captain was sent off during the Premier League match at Old Trafford for a challenge on James Maddison…Continue Reading
However, the Football Association later rescinded the suspension after United appealed the decision. At the time of Fernandes’ sending-off, United were trailing by a goal and eventually lost 3-0.
Howard Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), stated that VAR official Peter Bankes should have instructed the referee to overturn the red card, but instead allowed the original decision to stand.
After the assistant referee called for a red card for an “awful” challenge from Fernandes, Bankes said after in his review: “It’s not studs. It’s shin height. It’s a deliberate act and made no attempt to play the ball. The angle doesn’t show it’s with studs. There is a slip but I think ref’s call.”
Former referee Webb said on the latest episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up: “It was [a mistake]… The contact is high but Fernandes slips first. It’s not an attempt on the ball but from the assistants’ view it looks like studs go in – but it’s a slight error.
“There’s no driving the foot into the opponent, it’s more of a tripping action. VAR should have sent the referee to the screen.”
Fernandes avoided a three-game suspension after Manchester United’s successful appeal, meaning he will be eligible to play—barring any fitness issues—when the Red Devils face Brentford in the Premier League on October 19.
