Bruno Fernandes received a red card Sunday afternoon during the match against Tottenham after a tackle on James Maddison was classified as serious foul play, even though he slipped while attempting it.
Maddison was moving forward with the ball from his own half when Manchester United’s captain, Fernandes, tried to make the tackle. Unfortunately, he lost his footing, causing his leg to collide with Maddison’s knee.
Referee Chris Kavanagh promptly issued a straight red card to Fernandes, a decision that was confirmed by VAR official Peter Bankes. This decision ignited outrage among Fernandes and his teammates, who passionately protested around Kavanagh.
Despite their objections, Fernandes ended up leaving the field, and his team went on to suffer a significant 3-0 loss. Shortly after his exit, the Premier League Match Centre provided clarification regarding the reason for Fernandes’ dismissal.
Their statement noted: “The referee issued a red card to Fernandes for a challenge on Maddison. The VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the referee’s decision of serious foul play.”
Meanwhile, serious foul play is defined as:
A tackle or challenge that jeopardizes the safety of an opponent or employs excessive force or brutality must be penalized as serious foul play.
FA’s rulebook
The rule further elaborates: “Any player who lunges at an opponent while challenging for the ball from the front, side, or behind, using excessive force or endangering the safety of an opponent, is guilty of serious foul play.”
