Crystal Palace are currently set to be without Maxence Lacroix for the next three Premier League games after his red card in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.
The Frenchman was harshly dismissed for resting his hand on the shoulder of Matheus Cunha as the Brazilian raced through on goal, with the contact hardly enough to send a man standing at six foot tall flying to the ground.
It is unclear whether Crystal Palace plan to appeal the controversial decision involving Maxence Lacroix – which Oliver Glasner felt was partly down to the “Old Trafford bonus” – but Law 12 in the official Football Association (FA) handbook gives us hope that an appeal would be successful if lodged.
Double jeopardy rule could save Maxence Lacroix
In 2016, a ‘double jeopardy’ rule was introduced which prevented players who had conceded a penalty as the last man from also being shown a straight red card as well, so long as they were deemed to have made a genuine attempt to play the ball.
A red card would still be shown if a player:
Pulls, pushes, or holds the attacker
Commits serious foul play
Uses excessive force
Makes no attempt to play the ball
Handles the ball deliberately to stop a goal
Granted, Lacroix was dismissed for holding Cunha, which is why the red card was shown.
However, we feel there is an argument that the Crystal Palace No.5 did not hold Cunha long enough or hard enough for the Brazil international to drop to the deck in the manner he did.
#MUNCRY – 52’ VAR OVERTURN
After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no red card to Lacroix.
Referee announcement: “After review, Crystal Palace number 5 commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goal scoring opportunity. Final…
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 1, 2026
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It was an embarrassing moment for the Manchester United No.10 – who has a habit of being the pantomime villain. In December 2024, Cunha was charged by the FA for elbowing a member of Ipswich’s security team in the head before then snatching the man’s glasses off his face.
Just months later in March 2025, the South American was once again in hot water, as he kicked and then headbutted Milos Kerkez during an FA Cup clash between Bournemouth and Wolves.
In that respect, Cunha is hardly a model student himself – the FA should know exactly what type of character they are dealing with if Crystal Palace do end up appealing the red card.
Regardless of an appeal, Maxence Lacroix can still play UEFA Conference League football for Crystal Palace
Whatever happens next after the incident involving Cunha, there is no question that Lacroix – who adores Crystal Palace fans – can play in Europe for the Eagles.
Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace celebrates the victory.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Red cards received in domestic action do not carry over into European football, nor would a suspension received in a UEFA competition be upheld in the Premier League, FA Cup or League Cup.
So, Lacroix can definitely play when Larnaca come to Selhurst Park for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League round of 16 on Thursday 12th March.