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I am bemused Bruno Fernandes was so easily upset by Chris Kavanagh penalty incident

The 20 Premier League clubs told referee chiefs this summer that they wanted a crackdown on holding in the penalty area. At Craven Cottage on Sunday, we saw the consequences for the first time this season.

Referees and their video assistants (VARs) assess whether to penalise a holding offence based on two factors: the relative extremity of the action and its impact on the game.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey was undoubtedly guilty of an extreme action, as he threw United’s Mason Mount to the ground long before the ball arrived on the scene.

Calvin Bassey hauls Mason Mount to the ground

Calvin Bassey gave away the spot-kick after hauling Mason Mount to the ground - Getty Images /Marc Atkins

Simultaneously, Rodrigo Muniz and Luke Shaw were similarly embroiled. On first viewing this looked a clear foul by the Manchester United man, but on review it became clear that Muniz deliberately lifted both his feet off the ground to exaggerate the impact of Shaw’s actions.

VAR Darren England would have assessed both challenges and it was no surprise when he advised ref Chris Kavanagh to review his decision. The pictures spoke for themselves.

Moments later, Kavanagh and penalty-taker Bruno Fernandes bumped into each other as the United skipper prepared to take the kick.

Bruno Fernandes collides with Chris Kavanagh

Fernandes’ routine was disrupted when he and referee Chris Kavanagh collided

The referee was touring the edge of the box, reminding players what they should know already – that it’s never in their interests to encroach into the penalty area before the ball is kicked.

I’m surprised that Fernandes started his preparations before the referee was in position, given the importance of his pre-kick routine. I’m bemused that he was so easily upset and triggered (his words) by not receiving an apology. And I’ll be astonished if Kavanagh – as polite, humble and upstanding as he is – has any regrets.

Fernandes consoled by Mason Mount following his disastrous penalty

Fernandes is consoled by Mount following his terrible penalty - PA/Adam Davy

United took the lead soon after the interval at another corner. Opinion will be split on whether Leny Yoro pushed Bassey with sufficient force to cause the defender to spring forward in such dramatic fashion.

My view, in real time, was that Bassey realised he was underneath the ball, knew he would lose his duel with Yoro, and made a meal of minimal contact.

Only in slow motion did it look more like a free-kick. Ref Kavanagh did not have that luxury, and VAR England would have needed much stronger evidence of foul play than was on offer to recommend an on-field review.

Interviewed later, Bassey said Kavanagh would be “disappointed” when he saw the incident on TV. I doubt it. It’s a crackdown on wrestling manoeuvres, not a prop for weak defending.

Fernandes accuses referee of not apologising after disrupting penalty

Bruno Fernandes said he was “upset” with referee Chris Kavanagh because the official failed to apologise to him following an extraordinary penalty miss.

The Manchester United captain appeared to claim his routine was messed up by a jogging Kavanagh, who he walked back into as he prepared to take the kick, which had been controversially awarded after a VAR check.

The midfielder felt he had to re-spot the ball and go through his routine again. When he eventually took the first-half penalty he skied it high over the crossbar with United going on to draw 1-1 with Fulham.

Fernandes blazes his penalty over the crossbar

Fernandes blazed his penalty over the crossbar after re-spotting the ball - Reuters/Matthew Childs

Fernandes was seen continuing to argue with Kavanagh who appeared to be trying to placate him, even as the second-half was about to start. “I was upset, obviously,” Fernandes said later. “As [with] every penalty taker you have your own routines, your own things that you do.

“I was upset as the referee didn’t apologise and that is what triggered me in that moment but it’s not an excuse to miss the penalty. I had a bad hit on the ball. I took my foot too under the ball. And that is why it ended up going over the bar.”

🗣️ "It upset me because the referee didn't apologise"

Bruno Fernandes said he was triggered by the referee before missing a penalty against Fulham ❌ pic.twitter.com/J358sq7xBU

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2025

The penalty was awarded after Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Darren England, who spotted that Fulham defender Calvin Bassey had thrown Mason Mount to the ground as a corner was taken. It follows a Premier League crackdown on grappling in the penalty area.

Later Bassey said of Fernandes’s miss: “I say it is justice. I didn’t think it was a pen, and then he missed it, so sort of a let-off.