THE PREMIER LEAGUE have released a 25-word statement following the controversial decision to send off Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes during the club’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Fernandes, 30, was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for the first time in his Man Utd career after appearing to lash out at Tottenham star James Maddison with the score 1-0.
The Red Devils captain can be seen to lift his boot towards the knee of Maddison after slipping with his standing leg as he went to pressure the ball.
An explanation for the decision came from the Premier League’s Match Centre on social media.
The statement read: “The referee issued a red card to Fernandes for a challenge on Maddison. The VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s call of serious foul play.”
Fernandes faced the music and raged against the decision in an interview with Sky Sports following the game, admitting it was a foul but “never a red card”.
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The Portuguese also claimed that Maddison admitted it was also not a red card – with the pair seen conversing as Fernandes walked off the pitch.
He said: “I just wanted to come and talk and be myself because my team-mates deserve that for what they have done in the game playing with one man less – particularly as I was the man sent off, the one that let them down.
“I think we struggled a bit and then the red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game, but it wasn’t possible.
“The team showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience, a lot of fight. They tried. It wasn’t easy.
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“No one likes to be sent off. It’s not a good feeling. We end up conceding another two goals.
“I don’t go in with the studs, it’s a clear foul but never a red card. Maddison said it is a foul but it’s not a red card.
“If this is a red card we have to look at other incidents. I think it’s never a red card. It’s a foul if he wants to give a yellow.
“I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen.’
Rules on ‘serious foul play’
According to the FA’s rulebook, serious foul play is defined as being: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
United had gone down inside three minutes through Brennan Johnson before the 42nd-minute sending-off.
Things went from bad to worse in the second half, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke scoring to pile on the misery for Erik ten Hag’s side, who have now lost back-to-back home league games 3-0.
On the incident, Ten Hag added: “The red card changes the game. I don’t think it was a red card.”
The decision to send him off proved controversial, with Jamie Redknapp, Ashley Young and Darren Bent saying it was harsh.
MARK HALSEY: Questions must be asked after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for Man Utd against Tottenham
IN real time Bruno Fernandes’ first-half challenge on James Maddison looked a poor one.
And based on an immediate viewing, it seemed ref Chris Kavanagh’s decision to show a red card was the correct one.
But replays clearly showed he slipped and his foot did not make contact as high on Maddison’s leg as it first seemed.
In these circumstances a ref has to consider whether a challenge was reckless, which would be worthy of a caution, or if it has endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality — a red-card offence.
Looking back at the footage, you would have to say it was reckless rather than a case of serious foul play.
There should be no criticism of Kavanagh as he only gets one view of it.
But the question to ask is why VAR Peter Bankes did not get involved, as he sees what we see.
If VAR had recommended a review I’m sure Kavanagh would have changed his mind.
Asked if he deserved to go for an early bath, Redknapp replied: “No, he slips, his feet go under him. I think it is a yellow card.”
Young added: “I don’t think it’s serious foul play or it’s reckless. Yes, he is out of control, but he slips, I don’t think he goes to take out Maddison.”
And Bent reacted: “First time I saw it I thought that it was naughty. But he slips and it is more petulant than anything. It is a poor decision, a bad one, a poor one.”
Under-fire Ten Hag said he would continue to back his captain ahead of the game: “Every season it’s the same and at the end of the season.
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“Bruno created the most chances in the PL and scored a lot of goals. I’m not worried.”
Fernandes will now miss games against Aston Villa, Brentford and West Ham.
Man Utd ratings vs Tottenham
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.
However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.
And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.
Andre Onana – 5
Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.
Subs:
Mount (for Mainoo 45) 5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
