REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Pro Ref has come under immense criticism following the Manchester derby and released audio has revealed why Michael Oliver opted to send Phil Foden off and allow Bruno Fernandes to escape punishment.
Fernandes and Foden were involved in a heated bust-up during the first half and the Manchester United skipper appeared to intentionally kick the Manchester City attacker in the back. He had initially tried to play the ball before seemingly growing frustrated and digging into the downed Englishman.
Foden reacted furiously, raising his feet into Fernandes' chest, from which the Red Devils playmaker fell to the floor. Referee Michael Taylor immediately brandished a red card for Foden but didn't take action against Fernandes.
City went on to win 1-0 courtesy of a controversial Erling Haaland goal which Pro Ref have since acknowledged shouldn't have stood. Not only has audio from the VAR room been released concerning that error but also why Foden saw red and Fernandes didn't.
VAR Audio of Fernandes and Foden Incident Released
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Pro Ref chief Howard Webb appeared on the Premier League's Match Officials Mic'd Up to respond to backlash over the officiating that took place at Old Trafford. He admitted to being 'really disappointed' that VAR for the day, Matt Donohue and his assistant Blake Antrobus hadn't focused on Enzo Fernandez being an offside position for Haaland's goal.
Fans were also given an insight into how Foden's red card came about and the discussions that took place between Oliver, Donohue and Antrobus. Oliver first informs them:
"Red card, Phil Foden. Kickout into the body of Bruno [Fernandes]" before Donohue responds, "Okay, that looks like a clear red card to me. Secondary movement. Looks to be a secondary movement, I've got an angle here as well. Red card. OK, happy to confirm?"
Oliver is then heard speaking to City's players to explain the decision: "I think he's in a tangle and when they are then separating I think then Phil kicks him. But they will check."
Donohue confirms the sending off because Foden delivers "a kick to the midriff with two feet. Check complete, check complete." This is when he decides to rewatch Fernandes' role in the incident:
"Just roll through to check. Just go back for me and just roll through, just to check that Bruno does nothing. I'm absolutely certain he doesn't... No, he kicks the ball, it's fine."
Antrobus responded: "No, the other one [earlier in the incident]. That's not what they're talking about... That is what they're talking about." Donohue claims that the contact is "Minimal, minimal. That's not for us, it's fine," and his assistant replied: "Yeah, I agree."
Roy Keane and Micah Richards were on punditry duty for Sky Sports and they argued that Fernandes deserved to see red when speaking at halftime. They suggested he had been the aggressor and instigated the ordeal that ultimately led to Foden's sending off.
Fernandes didn't receive a yellow card for his actions and Gary Neville on commentary believed that he should have been booked. This came before Haaland's winner, which is the main talking point following a drama-filled Manchester derby on Sunday.
Howard Webb Verdict on Unpunished Bruno Fernandes
Premier League referee Howard Webb looks annoyed
Webb gave his thoughts on the incident and while he agreed with the decision to send Foden off, he gave an interesting analysis of Fernandes. He told Michael Owen:
“I agree with the red card for Phil Foden for violent conduct. He kicks out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes... And that's seen by the referee, and that's the on-field call; a red card for Foden. Now, when you look at the footage, there's that petulant kick by Bruno Fernandes into the backside of Foden. It's more petulant than violent. To be violent conduct, it has to have excessive force or brutality, and when you look at that particularly in full speed, it doesn't have those elements.
Webb believes Fernandes should have been booked but explained why VAR didn't intervene to punish the United captain: "Therefore, this would be a yellow card offence, and the VAR can't step in to recommend the referee looks at the screen to give a yellow card. Of course, if all of this is missed and nothing is given against Foden, the VAR could step in so the referee could see Foden's actions for a possible red card and they would capture Fernandes' yellow card action. But because the referee gave the red card on the field, that option's not open to the VAR."
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
After Fernandes' coming together with Foden, he remained on the floor as the City player tried to protest against his dismissal. His reaction didn't go down well with pundits and fans who felt he succeeded in trying to get his opponent sent off.