Ex-Fifa official: Bruno Fernandes should get extended ban as controversial Man United footage analysed
Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off as Man United lost 3-1 to Arsenal on Saturday (23 April), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed Craig Pawson “ducked” the decision in the closing stages.
With just less than 1`5 minutes to go, Fernandes stamped on Nuno Tavares’ ankle after he had played a pass to a teammate.
Pawson was in a great position to judge the foul but decided to only caution the 27-year-old and VAR operate Jarred Gillett did not see it as a clear and obvious error.
A straight red card would have seen Fernandes miss United’s Premier League games with Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
He would only return for their last game of the season – a trip to Crystal Palace.
“I thought Fernandes was lucky to stay on,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“That’s more than reckless, he’s endangered the safety of an opponent. He knows exactly what he’s doing, the ball’s gone, he’s really, really late and done the player.
“Craig Pawson is in proximity to play but he’s ducked it. It’s not a clear and obvious error because he’s given a yellow card so VAR can’t come in.”
Fernandes has scored nine times and provided 14 assists in 42 games across all competitions this season.
The Portugal international was rewarded with a new United contract earlier this month (1 April) that will keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2016.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed a ‘£111million’ Man United reveal proves the Glazers have ‘finally woken up’.