- Manchester United fans outraged
- Calvert-Lewin avoids red card for pulling Cucurella’s hair
- Lisandro Martinez sent off for same offence vs Leeds
Manchester United fans have called out the FA for a lack of consistency after Dominic Calvert-Lewin escaped a red card in Chelsea and Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final. The English striker was the one whose hair got Lisandro Martinez in trouble a week ago.
Calvert-Lewin appeared to pull Marc Cucurella’s hair in the first half at Wembley. VAR reviewed the incident but decided not to send referee Jarred Gillett to the pitchside monitor.
It was farcical, given it was an exact replica of the incident which saw Martinez sent off against Leeds. The Argentine was handed his marching orders for supposedly pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
Man United Fans Furious
To make matters worse, the English frontman wasn’t even booked, which has angered the Old Trafford faithful. Not only was Martinez sent off for the same offence, but he was handed a three-match ban due to the nature of his red card.
United fans have vented their frustrations online with one fan taking aim at the FA: “The Premier League officiating is a joke, how has Calvert Lewin not been sent off for pulling Cucurella’s hair?”
Another added: “CALVERT LEWIN PULLED CUCURELLA’S HAIR? YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP.”
One wrote: “Calvert-Lewin CLEARLY pulls Cucurella’s hair and NO red card was given?? Disgraceful.”
Another responded: “Hi @PGMOL_FA Why was Calvert-Lewin not sent off for the hair pull on Cucurella?”
United failed with an appeal over Martinez’s red card and the PGMOL’s response was that it was violent conduct. There are little to no differences between that offence and the one that occured at Wembley.
‘One of the Worst Decisions’
Michael Carrick called Martinez’s sending off “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.” The football world laughed at the Argentine being handed his marching orders under such absurd circumstances.
But the PGMOL have to stick to their guns over the hair-pulling, and it’s clear that Calvert-Lewin grabs hold of Cucurella’s hair. Those in Stockley Park probably shuddered as they watched the incident, well aware that they would either ruin an FA Cup spectacle or become the ultimate hypocrites.
Martinez’s suspension saw his miss a 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. He’s also banned for tomorrow’s encounter with Brentford and the visit of Liverpool next Sunday.
