ANTHONY MARTIAL will face no FA action over diving – even though Jan Bednarek’s controversial red card for fouling him has been overturned.
Bednarek was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after ref Mike Dean bought Martial’s tumble to award a spot-kick which provided Manchester United the seventh in the 9-0 win over Southampton.
Anthony Martial will escape any punishment for the way he won the penalty against SouthamptonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
An independent panel has ruled Dean was wrong to send the Saints defender off.
Though written reasons are yet to be provided, it suggests they felt Bednarek had not committed a foul.
That has turned the attention on whether United striker Martial dived to win the penalty, an offence punishable with a ban by the FA.
But though Bednarek is now in the clear, the FA do not believe there is any evidence to suggest Martial dived – so will not be bringing any charges.
Under the law concerning simulation it would need compelling evidence a referee has been conned in awarding a spot-kick before the FA even consider sending a potential diving case to a tribunal to decide on.
In the case of Martial, there is thought to be some doubt whether contact was made and who was at fault, so the threshold to bring a charge has not been met.
An FA statement read: “Jan Bednarek will be available for Southampton’s next fixture after an Independent Regulatory Commission upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal and removed his suspension.”
Bednarek complained that even Martial admitted to it not being a foul after being sent off at Old Trafford.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Premier League bosses were forced to deny rumours that Dean’s pitchside VAR monitor froze as he reviewed the call.
However, despite similarities between the two incidents, Arsenal’s appeal against David Luiz’s red card at Wolves was unsuccessful.
Luiz, 33, tangled with Willian Jose as the Wolves forward bore down on goal in Tuesday’s clash.
Mikel Arteta said he was ‘hopeful’ of having the one-game ban overturned before the appeal was heard.
But the Gunners confirmed in a statement on Thursday that they were ‘disappointed’ having ‘worked really hard’ to have the ban quashed.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
An independent panel ruled Dean was wrong to send the Saints defender offCredit: AP:Associated Press
Man Utd’s Anthony Martial admitted penalty was NOT a foul, claims Jan Bednarek after controversial red card
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
