Premier League make final decision on Bruno Fernandes’ controversial red card

Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next game after his red card against Tottenham was overturned on appeal.

The United captain was shown a straight red for a first-half challenge on James Maddison against Tottenham on Sunday as his side capitulated to a dire 3-0 loss at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese international appeared to slip as he went in for the challenge and pleaded his case with referee Chris Kavanagh but the decision was upheld after a check by VAR officials.

Despite that, however, United have managed to successfully appeal the three-match ban, meaning Fernandes will be available for Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

A short statement from the Football Association read: ‘Bruno Fernandes will be available for Manchester United’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.

‘The midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the Premier League match against Tottenham on Sunday, 29 September.’

Speaking after the game, Fernandes was shocked that he was punished so heavily and says that even Maddison felt the decision was harsh.

‘It’s part of slipping going in, I don’t take him as everyone wants to see it, I don’t go with the studs, I take him with my ankle, it’s a clear foul but never a red card, that’s my feeling,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘Even Maddison when he gets up, he said it’s a foul but never a red card, that’s what he said.

‘In the eyes of everyone you can see it’s never a red card, because if this is a red card I think we have to look at many other incidents, many incidents when I get kicked and I’ve never seen something so quick coming as a red card.

‘I just think it’s never a red card. If he wants to give a yellow because it’s a counter-attack, I agree, then I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen. For me it’s just not a really good decision, that’s all.’

If the suspension had been upheld, Fernandes would have also missed league games against Brentford and West Ham after the international break.

The successful appeal will come as a major boost to under-pressure boss Erik ten Hag who needs an immediate uptick in performances and results if he is to silence the growing number of voices calling for him to be sacked.

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