Controversy over Manchester derby red card decision involving Foden and Fernandes

Pro Ref has faced significant criticism following the Manchester derby, and newly released audio has shed light on why Michael Oliver decided to send Phil Foden off while allowing Bruno Fernandes to avoid punishment.

During the first half, Fernandes and Foden were engaged in a heated confrontation, with the Manchester United captain seemingly kicking the Manchester City attacker in the back after initially attempting to play the ball. His frustration appeared to boil over as he struck the downed Englishman.

Foden reacted angrily, raising his feet into Fernandes' chest, causing the United playmaker to fall to the ground. Referee Michael Taylor promptly issued a red card to Foden but chose not to penalise Fernandes.

City ultimately secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a contentious goal from Erling Haaland, which Pro Ref has since acknowledged should not have counted. Alongside the audio from the VAR room regarding that error, insights into the decisions surrounding Foden's red card and Fernandes' lack of punishment have also been released.

VAR audio of Fernandes and Foden incident released

Pro Ref chief Howard Webb appeared on the Premier League's Match Officials Mic'd Up to address the backlash over the officiating at Old Trafford. He expressed his disappointment that VAR for the day, Matt Donohue, and his assistant Blake Antrobus had not focused on Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position for Haaland's goal.

Fans were given a glimpse into the discussions that led to Foden's red card, with Oliver first stating: "Red card, Phil Foden. Kickout into the body of Bruno [Fernandes]," to which Donohue replied, "Okay, that looks like a clear red card to me. Secondary movement. Looks to be a secondary movement, I've got an angle here as well. Red card. OK, happy to confirm?"

Oliver then explained to City's players: "I think he's in a tangle and when they are then separating I think then Phil kicks him. But they will check."

Donohue confirmed the sending off, stating that Foden delivered "a kick to the midriff with two feet. Check complete, check complete." He then decided to review Fernandes' involvement in the incident: "Just roll through to check. Just go back for me and just roll through, just to check that Bruno does nothing. I'm absolutely certain he doesn't... No, he kicks the ball, it's fine."

Antrobus interjected: "No, the other one [earlier in the incident]. That's not what they're talking about... That is what they're talking about." Donohue assessed the contact as "Minimal, minimal. That's not for us, it's fine," to which his assistant agreed.

During halftime, pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards, who were on duty for Sky Sports, argued that Fernandes should have received a red card, claiming he was the aggressor in the incident that led to Foden's dismissal. Fernandes was not booked for his actions, and Gary Neville, on commentary, believed he should have received a yellow card. This discussion occurred prior to Haaland's decisive goal, which became the main focus following a dramatic Manchester derby on Sunday.

Howard Webb's verdict on unpunished Bruno Fernandes

Webb shared his perspective on the incident, agreeing with the decision to send Foden off while providing an interesting analysis of Fernandes' actions. He told Michael Owen: “I agree with the red card for Phil Foden for violent conduct. He kicks out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes... And that's seen by the referee, and that's the on-field call; a red card for Foden. Now, when you look at the footage, there's that petulant kick by Bruno Fernandes into the backside of Foden. It's more petulant than violent. To be violent conduct, it has to have excessive force or brutality, and when you look at that particularly in full speed, it doesn't have those elements."

Webb believes Fernandes should have been booked but clarified why VAR did not intervene to penalise the United captain: "Therefore, this would be a yellow card offence, and the VAR can't step in to recommend the referee looks at the screen to give a yellow card. Of course, if all of this is missed and nothing is given against Foden, the VAR could step in so the referee could see Foden's actions for a possible red card and they would capture Fernandes' yellow card action. But because the referee gave the red card on the field, that option's not open to the VAR."

After the incident with Foden, Fernandes remained on the ground as the City player protested against his dismissal. His reaction was met with criticism from pundits and fans who felt he had successfully influenced the decision to send off his opponent.

Source: GiveMeSport