Referee chief Howard Webb has claimed VAR made a ‘mistake’ by not immediately overturning the red card shown to Bruno Fernandes in Man United’s recent 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
The Manchester United captain was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Kavanagh at Old Trafford for a foul on James Maddison, at a time when the home side were just one goal behind and were hunting for an equalizer.
Fernandes had been trying to win the ball back near the center circle when he lunged, slipping before making contact with Maddison’s shin and leaving the Spurs star in a dramatic heap on the ground.
The Portuguese playmaker protested his innocence at the time and was pleased that VAR reviewed the situation after initial replays suggested his foot struck Maddison higher than it actually did.
Webb is now adamant that VAR should have intervened and gone against the referee’s original decision to allow United’s captain to walk off midway through the match.
Referee chief Howard Webb (left) claims VAR made a ‘mistake’ by not immediately overturning the red card shown to Bruno Fernandes (right) against Tottenham
Fernandes was immediately sent off after catching James Maddison in the shin at Old Trafford
Fernandes was shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh (left), who refused to change his decision
Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, where Webb joined Michael Owen to explain controversial refereeing decisions, the chief referee insisted the officials arrived at the wrong result.
Audio of the moment of Fernandes’ rash challenge reveals the assistant referee saying: ‘That’s awful, mate. That’s a red card for me, 100 percent. A decision on the field is a red card.’
VAR added: ‘They’re not studs. It’s shin height. It is a deliberate act and no attempt has been made to play the ball. The angle does not show that it is studded. There’s a slip, but I think the referee calls.’
However, Webb is adamant that VAR should have gone against Kavanagh’s initial call, saying: ‘It was [a mistake]. We hear on the audio that the assistant said it was a red card violation and the referee takes that advice.
‘The contact is high, but Fernandes slips first. It’s not an attempt on the ball, but from the assistants’ perspective it looks like studs are going in, but it’s a small mistake.
‘There is no hitting the opponent with the foot, it is more of a stumbling action. The VAR should have sent the referee to the screen,” Webb said.
Fernandes pleaded with Kavanagh to change his decision but was ignored by the official
Fernandes and United successfully appealed the red card, using Sky Sports experts as part of their official appeal to overturn the penalty.
The Red Devils captain was back in the starting line-up for United’s weekend visit to Villa Park but continued to struggle along with the rest of his teammates as Erik ten Hag’s side sit in 14th place in the Premier League.