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Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers was overturned by the FA following a review, and the governing body has since clarified the reasoning behind the reversal.
The Football Association (FA) has released the written reasons behind the decision to overturn Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card during Arsenal’s recent match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The independent regulatory commission unanimously agreed that the referee had made an obvious error in sending off Lewis-Skelly for his challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.
The commission stated that while the challenge was indeed “Foul Play,” it did not meet the criteria for “Serious Foul Play.” Lewis-Skelly had stepped across his opponent and tripped him up, possibly deliberately, but without endangering the safety of his opponent or using excessive force or brutality. The panel emphasized that Lewis-Skelly had not lunged at his opponent, and therefore, the dismissal was deemed wrongful.
As a result, Arsenal’s claim for wrongful dismissal was successful, and the standard punishment was withdrawn. This decision means that Lewis-Skelly will not face a three-match suspension and will be available for upcoming matches.
The FA’s statement highlights the importance of ensuring fair play and the need for accurate decision-making in football. The overturning of the red card serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in officiating the sport and the impact that such decisions can have on teams and players.
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