)
Watch Howard Webb break down the events and considerations that resulted in Bruno Fernandes' dismissal against Spurs.
English football's refereeing head, Howard Webb, has admitted that Bruno Fernandes' red card against Tottenham Hotspur was a mistake and should have been overturned using VAR.
What happened?
The playmaker was dismissed late in the first half of Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Spurs on September 29th after a challenge on James Maddison.
Though United successfully appealed the decision and had the red card rescinded, the former referee acknowledged that the VAR team on the day failed to properly intervene.
)
The controversy unfolded when referee Chris Kavanagh initially issued the red card, prompted by the assistant referee who deemed the challenge worthy of dismissal.
VAR official Peter Bankes and his assistant, Simon Long, reviewed the play from multiple angles, analysing the height of the challenge, whether Fernandes used his studs, and if there was any attempt to play the ball. They ultimately decided to uphold Kavanagh's on-field decision.
What Webb said
)
However, the chief refereeing officer at PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), clarified that the VAR team misjudged the situation.
He explained that while fouls are considered "subjective decisions," requiring a "clear and obvious error" for VAR to overturn a call, Fernandes' challenge didn't meet the threshold for serious foul play.
Webb stated that a pitchside review should have been recommended by the VAR team.
What next for Manchester United?
Man Utd next face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, October 19.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)