Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes avoids ban after successful appeal
Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card during their 3-0 loss to Tottenham
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has avoided suspension after the club successfully appealed his red card from Sunday’s match against Tottenham.
The 30-year-old was given a straight red card for a foul on Spurs midfielder James Maddison, a decision that initially meant a three-match ban for serious foul play.
However, United’s appeal proved successful, overturning the red card.
As a result, Fernandes will be available for the club’s upcoming Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham.
At the time of the sending off, Erik ten Hag’s side was trailing 1-0 and eventually suffered a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford – marking their third league loss of the season.
“[It’s] never a red card that is my view,” Bruno Fernandes said.
“I agree that it is a foul but it is never a sending off..
“The referee tried to tell me that as he saw it was a clear contact with the studs, no.
“I didn’t touch him with the studs or even the foot, it was my ankle. It is a clear foul.
“If he wants to give me a yellow because they are going to go on a counter then I agree.
“But more than that, no. It is not the case.
“Nobody wants to be sent off, it’s not a good feeling. I didn’t go with the studs, it’s never a red card.
“Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card.
“If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.
“It is a foul, there is not much contact, if he [the referee] wants to give me a yellow I agree.
“I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him to the screen.”
United boss Erik Ten Hag said on Fernandes’ exit: “I don’t think it’s a red card. It had a big impact on the game.”
“We tried to force it a little bit, to rush it and go too quick,” he added.
“When they have the high line we made mistakes on the ball and then we got punished and it didn’t go the way we wanted from there.
“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.
“They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”
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