FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey delivered his verdict on Phil Foden’s straight red card in the Manchester derby.
Foden was sent off midway through the first half for a kick out on Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
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Halsey described the incident, saying: “There was a big flashpoint in the first half of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford between Phil Foden and Bruno Fernandes.
“Phil Foden can have no complaints whatsoever about the red card shown to him by Michael Oliver for violent conduct. You can clearly see that while he’s on the ground, he clearly kicks Bruno Fernandes in the stomach – clear red card for violent conduct.
“Now, Bruno Fernandes was reacting to a little tap by Bruno Fernandes on his backside. It was a little tap – petulance not violence – and Bruno was lucky not to receive a yellow card.
“As we know, VAR can’t get involved in yellow card offences. But Phil Foden will serving a three-match ban now for violent conduct.”
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After a 50-50 between the two midfielders, the ball went out for a throw-in – to which Bruno responded with a little tap on Foden with his foot.
Foden then kicked out at the United captain.
But the pundits in the Sky Sports studio were not in agreement with Halsey.
United legend turned Sky pundit Roy Keane said: “Bruno goes in, tackles him and catches him. Foden gives him a kick, and it’s classed as violent conduct. But Bruno is the one who is violent here for me. I called out Kyle Walker a couple of years ago here for violent conduct. I don’t think that’s a red card.
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“Bruno has got to do better there. I don’t think it’s a red card.”
Former Manchester City right-back Micah Richards then appeared to agree with Keane’s point of view.
Richards said: If Phil Foden didn’t kick out at him here, Bruno Fernandes might have been the one who got the red card. The minute Foden touches him, it looks worse. But Fernandes kicks him. If you’re a player, you’re going to have some sort of reaction… Bruno has started it.”
Manchester City Marc Guehi was then in the mixed zone.
The former Palace captain said: “I didn’t see nothing. My only job is to focus on what’s next.”
While Red Devils boss Michael Carrick said: “I didn’t get a view of it to be honest.”