In a significant turn of events for Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes’ three-match suspension has been rescinded after the club successfully appealed against his red card issued during their recent match against Tottenham.
This news comes as a relief to the team, which has been grappling with a rocky start to the Premier League season.
The Incident on the Field
During the match on Sunday, Fernandes was shown a straight red card for the first time in his United career by referee Chris Kavanagh, following a tackle on James Maddison just before halftime.
Despite Fernandes slipping as he made the challenge, VAR upheld the referee’s decision, leaving many, including Fernandes himself, questioning the call.
Initially, Fernandes was set to miss crucial fixtures against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham.
However, the Football Association confirmed late Tuesday that Manchester United’s appeal had been successful, allowing Fernandes to return to the squad.
Official Statement and Manager’s Relief
The FA released a statement confirming that “Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.”
This development is particularly welcomed by manager Erik ten Hag, who has been navigating his team through a challenging period with three losses in their first six Premier League matches.
Fernandes, who is set to lead his team in an upcoming Europa League match against FC Porto, expressed his frustration at the referee’s decision.
He argued that his tackle did not warrant a red card, stating, “It was never a red card, that is my view. Even Maddison, when he gets up, said, ‘it’s a foul but it’s never a red card.’”
Pundits Weigh In on the Controversy
The aftermath of the match saw pundits criticizing Kavanagh’s decision.
Fernandes reiterated his belief that the tackle was not serious foul play.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also came to Fernandes’ defense, suggesting that Kavanagh’s perspective might have been compromised, leading to the controversial decision.
Gallagher stated, “I don’t think the referee can see it. If you look at the screen, you can see the assistant flag it… when you see it, a more palatable decision would be a yellow card.”
Looking Ahead
Shortly after the incident, the Premier League clarified that Fernandes was dismissed for ‘serious foul play,’ a classification that now seems contentious given the circumstances.
With the ban lifted, Ten Hag can now rely on his captain as they prepare for a crucial stretch of matches.
The team and its supporters are undoubtedly hoping this will help turn their season around as they move forward.
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