Because VAR believed the referee’s decision was not obviously incorrect, Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Tottenham was not reversed on the field.
After an appeal, the Football Association reversed the Manchester United captain’s suspension for fouling James Maddison during the Premier League match at Old Trafford. United were a goal down at the time of the dismissal and went on to lose 3-0.
Howard Webb, chief of the Professional Game Match Officials Board Limited (PGMOL), has indicated that VAR Peter Bankes should have told the referee to modify his decision, but instead he chose to let the original call stand.
In his analysis, Bankes stated following the assistant referee’s “awful” challenge from Fernandes that he was called for a red card: “It’s not studs.” It’s shin deep. It’s a purposeful action without any attempt to play the ball. Its studs are not visible from this viewpoint. There is a slip, but the referee called it.
In the most recent episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up, former referee Webb stated: “It was [a mistake]… Despite the strong contact, Fernandes trips up first. Although it’s not a ball attempt, the assistants believe that studs are in, yet there is a small mistake. It’s more of a tripping motion than slamming the foot into the opponent. The referee should have been sent to the screen.”
Following United’s successful appeal, Fernandes was spared a three-game suspension and will be available for the Red Devils’ Premier League match against Brentford on October 19, subject to his fitness.
(Goal)
