The Premier League have confirmed why Manchester United star Marcel Sabitzer avoided a red card against Leicester City on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils loanee looked fortunate to escape without as much as a booking after a late challenge on Wout Faes at Old Trafford.
Sabitzer caught the Leicester defender on the knee with a mistimed challenge during the 3-0 win. Referee Stuart Attwell only deemed the foul worthy of a free-kick, with VAR agreeing that no further action was deemed necessary.
Newcastle United fans were left angered by the decision, with Sabitzer avoiding a red card that would have ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
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The Premier League confirmed the rationale behind the lack of a red card was that Sabitzer’s challenge was not deemed to have sufficient momentum or force to warrant an immediate dismissal. However, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was unsatisfied with that reasoning.
“I don’t know [why a red card wasn’t shown],” the Leicester boss continued. "We’ve seen in the last few weeks, some of the decisions. Someone has said it was maybe after an incident but I don’t buy that one.
“If you look at Arsenal’s penalty at Manchester City, Eddie Nketiah is in on goal and has a shot at goal, but the follow-through makes it a foul, which makes it a penalty. In this instance, even if the play has stopped, he’s followed through and straight-legged him right on his knee.”
Attwell's initial decision was backed up by VAR official Paul Tierney but Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness was also unhappy with the call. “I don’t care what some referee who’s never played the game has to say on that, that is a sending off," he said.
"If that’s not dangerous play, what is? Ask any professional footballer, he’s turned side-on, that’s a classic case of setting yourself up to do someone.”
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