(Football news) Manchester United have decided not to appeal against Casemiro’s suspension after the midfielder was sent off during Sunday’s controversial 0-0 draw with Southampton. Casemiro was sent off in the 34th minute, having initially been shown a yellow card for his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz but referee Anthony Taylor changed it to a red card after VAR official Andre Marriner told him to go up to the monitor and check.
Manchester United have decided not to make an appeal to the Premier League and the Brazilian midfielder will serve a four-match ban. Casemiro is set to miss out games against Fulham, Newcastle, Brentford and Everton because it was his second red card of the season. The Red Devils decided against an appeal because they did not believe there was a strong enough case to be made for the decision to be overturned and if the appeal was rejected then Casemiro would be suspended for 5 games instead. The Brazilian will still be available for Thursday’s Europa League round-of-16 second leg away to Real Betis.
Many fans don’t agree with the club’s decision not to appeal for the red card as they feel that it was an incredibly harsh decision, especially given the fact that Casemiro first won the ball before making contact with Alcaraz. His studs were up but there was no malicious intent in the tackle and the club raised a point that there is no consistency in the decisions given. A far worse tackle was made on Joao Felix on Saturday but VAR did not tell the on field referee to intervene. Nonetheless, questions are being asked by the experts as to whether the Brazilian has become more aggressive in his tackling since he made his debut in the Premier League.
Casemiro’s adaptation to the Premier League has been seamless but all said and done, it is in general a faster paced, aggressive and hotly contested league compared to the La Liga. Casemiro has been one of United’s stand out performers this season and many would say he has been transformative for United. However, his seven missed games can be the difference for Erik ten Hag’s side getting a top four position in the Premier League. Manchester United cannot afford to see him getting banned so often but neither can expect not to do his main duty which is to protect the defence.
Erik ten Hag was asked about Casemiro’s sending off after the goalless draw on Sunday and he vented his frustration. “It is inconsistent. The referees are coming at the start of the season with a policy: we are the Premier League, we want intensity and Casemiro, across European games, over 500, he never had a red card but now, twice. He plays tough but he’s fair
“Same as against Crystal Palace, so it’s very debatable. When you freeze it [Sunday’s challenge], it looks bad. Everyone who knows something about football, knows what is bad, what is fair and Casemiro is a fair player.
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