PGMOL technical director Howard Webb has admitted that the decision to send off Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was a “mistake” by the officials.
Fernandes received a straight red card on the stroke of half-time during the game against Tottenham at Old Trafford two weeks ago, with a high challenge on James Maddison adjudged to have been reckless.
Replays, however, clearly showed that Fernandes had actually slipped rather than going into a tackle with malicious intent, and an appeal lodged by Man Utd against the suspension was successful. Fernandes was then able to feature in the clash with Aston Villa over the weekend.
Speaking on Sky Sports, PGMOL technical director Webb admitted that the decision was a refereeing error, and that VAR officials should have called Chris Kavanagh over the screen to watch replays of the incident.
“It was [a mistake]. We hear on the audio that the assistant said it was a red card offence and the referee takes that advice,” said Webb.
“The contact is high but Fernandes slips first. It’s not an attempt on the ball but from the assistants’ view it looks like studs go in – but it’s a slight error. There’s no driving the foot into the opponent, it’s more of a tripping action. VAR should have sent the referee to the screen.”
Rather incredibly, the Man Utd captain was sent off once again just four days later too, receiving two bookings in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto in the UEFA Europa League. The two sendings off in quick succession were the first red cards Fernandes has ever received as a Man Utd player, with his last dismissal coming way back in 2019/20 during his time at Sporting CP.
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