Ex-referee speaks on Bruno Fernandes red card saga

Former referee and The Sun columnist Mark Halsey has backed Man United captain Bruno Fernandes after being sent off following a tackle on James Maddison in United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the Old Trafford. 

Halsey believes the referee should have taken more time to review the tackle from different angles.

Halsey can’t understand why VAR didn’t tell the referee to review the situation.

He wrote: “In these circumstances a ref has to consider whether a challenge was reckless, which would be worthy of a caution, or if it has endangered a player’s safety with excessive force and brutality a red-card offence.

“Looking back at the footage, you would have to say it was reckless rather than a case of serious foul play.

“There should be no criticism of Kavanagh as he only gets one view of it.

“But the question to ask is why VAR Peter Bankes did not get involved, as he sees what we see.

“If VAR had recommended a review I’m sure Kavanagh would have changed his mind.”

Fernandes was furious, telling Sky Sports post-match: “Even James Maddison when he gets up he said it’s not a red card.

“If this is a red card we have to look at many other incidents.

“I don’t understand why VAR doesn’t call him to the screen.

“The red card makes it worse. I have to appreciate all the effort my team-mates have done to try and return to the game but it wasn’t possible. They showed great effort and character and I was happy for that.”