Frank Christian
Despite the current struggles of Manchester United, there was positive news on October 1.
Bruno Fernandes, the club’s captain, successfully appealed against the red card he received during a loss to Tottenham on September 29. The Football Association (FA) confirmed that it upheld his claim of wrongful dismissal.
This ruling allows Fernandes to avoid a three-match suspension that typically follows a red card for serious foul play. He will be available for United’s upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa on October 6.
So, what led to the overturning of Fernandes’ red card, and when will he take the field next? Here’s a closer look.
What happened to Bruno Fernandes against Tottenham?
Fernandes received a straight red card in the 42nd minute of the September 29 match against Spurs at Old Trafford, with Tottenham leading 1-0 at that time and eventually winning 3-0.
The referee, Chris Kavanagh, deemed Fernandes’ actions as serious foul play after he caught James Maddison with his boot while trying to tackle him. Fernandes, attempting to close down Maddison, slipped on the wet grass. While off balance, he stretched out his right foot, inadvertently hitting Maddison on the shin with the bottom of his boot.
Watch in USA:
RED CARD FOR BRUNO FERNANDES.
Man United are down to ten men after their captain was sent off for this challenge on James Maddison. pic.twitter.com/I4MfR1WVks
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 29, 2024
Watch in Canada:
Bruno Fernandes with a Red Card vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 09/29/2024 pic.twitter.com/Tw1wanWkJj
— FuboCanada (@fuboTVCanada) September 29, 2024
Watch in UK:
BREAKING: Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes will be available for the next three Premier League games following a successful appeal against his red card received during their 3-0 loss to Tottenham pic.twitter.com/Mk4ayK96Mo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 1, 2024
Initially, Kavanagh and the VAR team viewed Fernandes’ tackle as dangerous, justifying the dismissal. However, Fernandes contended that he believed the tackle did not meet the criteria for a red card. He stated, “I agree it’s a foul but it’s never a red card,” explaining that his contact did not involve his studs but rather his ankle. He further noted that Maddison felt the decision was overly harsh as well.
What led to the overturning of the red card?
Following the incident, United appealed to the FA, which supported Fernandes’ claim of wrongful dismissal.
The FA did not elaborate on its reasoning, but it seemed to agree with Fernandes and the club that the challenge did not rise to the level of serious foul play.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) October 1, 2024
When will Bruno Fernandes play again?
Regardless of the outcome regarding his red card, Fernandes was set to play on October 3 against Porto in the UEFA Europa League. His suspension from the Premier League would not apply to UEFA competitions since it was incurred during a league match.
Had his appeal been unsuccessful, he would have missed crucial league matches against Aston Villa (October 6), Brentford (October 19), and West Ham (October 27). However, now that his appeal has been accepted, he is eligible to participate in these upcoming games.
