Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has given his view on whether sending Lisandro Martinez off was the correct decision.
Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card for pulling the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Manchester United lost 2-1 to Leeds United in the Premier League.
After a 24-day break from Premier League football, United suffered defeat on their return to action.
Martinez was recalled to United’s starting XI after recovering from injury, but he is now set for more time on the sidelines to serve his three-match suspension.
Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
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Lisandro Martinez has been SENT OFF for a hair pull – Let us know your thoughts…
It was described as 'violent conduct'
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Mark Clattenburg’s view of Lisandro Martinez’s red card vs Leeds
VAR halted play in the second half after spotting that Martinez had pulled on Calvert-Lewin’s hair while the pair were tussling for possession.
Referee Paul Tierney has never sent off a United player in his 25 matches in charge of the Red Devils, but upon review he decided to give Martinez his marching orders.
United in Focus spoke exclusively to Mark Clattenburg, and the former Premier League referee said:
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“We have seen examples of players being dismissed from the field of play for pulling an opponent’s hair.
“This is not a football action, and when Lisandro Martinez pulled the hair of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the VAR correctly recommended a review to the referee Paul Tierney to send the offender off for violent conduct which will result in a minimum of a three-match suspension.”
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Michael Carrick reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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What games Lisandro Martinez will miss with 3-game suspension
Because Martinez received a straight red card for his challenge, he will now serve a three-match suspension in the Premier League.
It means that Martinez will miss out on facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. He will also miss back-to-back matches at Old Trafford against Brentford and Liverpool.
Martinez had not played for United since the 1-1 draw against West Ham back in February, and now he will be absent for a crucial period in the run for Champions League qualification.
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