The Premier League issued a statement on Sunday, affirming that referee Robert Jones made the correct decision not to send off Lisandro Martinez after the Manchester United defender’s controversial tackle on Cole Palmer.
United captain Bruno Fernandes had given his team a lead with a penalty 20 minutes from time, but Moises Caicedo equalized just five minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
A key moment occurred in the third minute of injury time when Martinez lunged at Palmer, making contact with his knee after the ball had gone airborne without him touching it. Referee Jones opted to show a yellow card, while VAR official Michael Salisbury reviewed the incident and confirmed the referee’s decision, deeming it a reckless challenge but not warranting a red card.
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The Premier League’s statement clarified: “The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for the challenge on Palmer. VAR checked for a potential red card and upheld the referee’s decision, classifying it as reckless.”