Bruno Fernandes Argues Red Card Against Tottenham “Never a Red card”

Fernandes defends tackle on Maddison following costly sending-off.

Insisting his late tackle on James Maddison was not deserving of a red card, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has responded angrily to the referee’s decision to send him out during United’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham. Just before half-time, Fernandes launched a lunging challenge in the midfield that caused referee Chris Kavanagh to rapidly brandish a red card.

Replays revealed Fernandes lost his footing and made contact with Maddison, catching the Spurs midfielder with a hard tackle. The sending-off turned out to be a turning point since United, down to 10 men, was unable to recover and finally dropped to a dismal home loss.

Agree Fernandes and Maddison: “Never a Red Card”

Speaking following the game, Fernandes expressed his dismay with Kavanagh’s decision and asserted that even Maddison felt the red card was excessive. Despite being a man down, Fernandes commended his colleagues on BBC Match of the Day: “I simply wanted to come and talk and be myself because my team-mates deserve it for what they have done in the game playing with one player fewer. Particularly since I was the man dispatched, the one who let them down.”

Fernandes justified his behavior even more in an interview with Sky Sports: “I’m sliding. I don’t consider him as everyone wants to see it. I take him with my ankle instead of my studs. Though never a red card, it is an obvious foul. It’s a foul, even Maddison stated when he gets up, but it’s never a red card. Everyone can tell that it is never a red card.

Frustration of Fernandes About the Fast Decision

The Portuguese midfielder voiced annoyance over the fast red card ruling, implying that comparable events hadn’t been handled with as harshly. “We have to review many more incidents whether this is a red card. I have had several occasions where I have been kicked; I have never seen something so quick come off as a red card.” he said.

With the captain expecting a bounce-back in next games, Fernandes’ dismissal and United’s underperformance have heightened criticism on the team’s performance.