Despite referee Chris Kavanagh dishing out a red card to Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) upholding the action, the English Football Association (FA) has overturned the decision.
Fernandes was shown a straight red card for his tackle on Tottenham Hotspurs’ James Maddison in their Premier League match at Old Trafford. Spurs went on to win 3-0.
Replays showed that Fernandes had slipped just before the tackle, which according to the law should have meant his foul was a yellow card offence at most.
The FA announced its decision in a short statement.
The VAR and the PGMOL needs to apologise for making us lose to Tottenham.
How on earth was this a Red card to Bruno Fernandes?pic.twitter.com/e9vBYC4YKo
Man Utd breathe a sigh of relief
"Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United's next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.”
The FA decision means Fernandes will not miss any of Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League matches.
The red card in the 42nd minute of the match ignited a storm on social media, with the referees coming in for most of the criticism. Spurs were 1-0 up when Fernandes was sent off, but the big call meant the Red Devils had little way back into the contest being a goal and a man down.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher said an ‘optical illusion’ was the reason Kavanagh awarded the red card, when yellow would have been correct choice.
On X, @UTDSteve9 wrote: “As much as I blame Erik Ten Hag for the Tottenham Hotspur loss; Chris Kavanagh is the main reason we lost that game. Too bad he gets to ruin another game next time.”
@sandfoga said: “Once again referees making about them!! Chris Kavanagh needs to be dropped actions have to be taken. In all his career never had a red card. But the prem refs like to make all about them!! @ManUtd appeal @FA_PGMOL start doing your job!! Howard Webb release the audio???”