Arsenal fans were left stunned when Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a controversial red card in the first half of Saturday’s match against Wolves, but the decision has been explained
Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off in Arsenal’s match against Wolves due to ‘serious foul play’, the Premier League have confirmed.
The Gunners star, 18, was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver in the 43rd minute of Saturday’s first half, which ended goalless.
The decision was heavily criticised online with a number of Arsenal fans left baffled. But as they aired their grievances online, the BBC confirmed that the Premier League Match Centre had explained why the teenager had been dismissed.
The statement read: “The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play.”
While Oliver’s decision was backed by VAR, several pundits challenged the decision. It was even branded as “baffling” by new Match of the Day host Mark Chapman, who raged: “baffling and nonsensical from supposedly one of our best referees.”
Pat Nevin also blasted the decision, saying: “a bar so low even a limbo dancing snake couldn’t get under it…”.
Former Premier League official Mike Dean, however, defended Oliver’s call, saying on Sky Sports News: “I’ve got a still image: If you see it, you can see why the referee has decided what he’s done. He’s put his studs down the inside of his leg.
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“Now I’ve seen the other image, you can see why he’s been sent off.”
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan led the complaints on social media, saying: “FFS… another absolutely ridiculous red card. Lewis-Skelly sent off for a trip, just a nonsense decision.”
Another social media user added: “What?? Myles Lewis-Skelly never a red card. Disgraceful decision. One of the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Arsenal have now been shown the most red cards in the Premier League this season (four) following Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal, with West Ham and Southampton both below with three reds.
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