‘I can’t remember a worse VAR decision’- FIFA president Gianni Infantino has officially announced the dismissal of the officials and referees from the recent Manchester United Vs Chelsea match. This decision comes after the referee took five minutes to come to a decision following a an Offside goal and poor Officiating
The Premier League has provided clarity on Casemiro’s dismissal during Manchester United’s match against Chelsea, stating that the Brazilian midfielder was given a second yellow card for a holding offense that halted a promising Chelsea attack. According to the league, the referee’s decision to issue the second yellow card was in line with the rules, and there was no VAR involvement as per protocol.
Casemiro had already received a yellow card earlier in the game for a late tackle on Enzo Fernandez. Despite scoring a crucial goal for Manchester United, his actions near the halfway line, where he pulled on Andrey Santos’ shirt, led to his expulsion. This incident occurred as the first half drew to a close, and the red card significantly impacted the dynamics of the game.
As a result of the second yellow card, Casemiro will serve a one-match suspension, which means he will miss Manchester United’s upcoming fixture against Brentford next weekend. He will return to the team for their match against AFC Sunderland on October 4. Manchester United cannot appeal the decision, as it was a second bookable offense.
In the same match, Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off in the first five minutes for bringing down Bryan Mbeumo outside the box. Sanchez received a straight red card but will only serve a one-match suspension due to the nature of the offense, denying a goal-scoring opportunity. His suspension will affect Chelsea’s Carabao Cup clash against Lincoln City midweek, but he won’t face any Premier League punishment.
The Premier League’s explanation of Casemiro’s red card has provided insight into the referee’s decision-making process. The incident highlights the fine line between decisive action on the field and the consequences that follow such actions. Manchester United’s ability to secure a 2-1 win despite being reduced to 10 men for the latter part of the match speaks to the team’s resilience and determination.¹
