Hackett opined that the VAR official should have asked the referee to look at the monitor and review the incident
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former English Premier League (EPL) referee, Keith Hackett, has disagreed with the decision of referee Chris Kavanagh to send off Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United’s game against Tottenham Hotspurs at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
Fernandes, who is his team’s captain received the marching order for a high tackle on Spur’s James Maddison in the 39th minute of the encounter.
Following the incident, Spurs took advantage of their numerical advantage by ensured they won the game 3-0, picking up the maximum three points at stake in the game.
VAR did not intervene to revert the decision after Kavanagh displayed the red card.
ALSO READ: Fernandes apologizes after picking up red card in United’s 3-0 loss
Hackett, while offering his thoughts on the now controversial decision, insisted that Fernandes should have been shown a yellow card instead of red.
He also opined that the VAR official should have asked the referee to look at the monitor and review the incident.
Speaking with The Telegraph after the match, Hackett said, “I can see why the referee may have decided this was worthy of a red card, as Fernandes looked to challenge James Maddison with Tottenham on the breakaway. However, after multiple viewings, I lean towards a yellow card.
“I feel the referee Chris Kavanagh would have benefitted from being asked to look at the incident again on the pitch-side monitor.”
With Man United’s latest defeat, they are now 12th in the league table, sitting six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
