Bruno Fernandes has been told he should have been punished for his role in Phil Foden’s red card in Sunday’s Manchester derby. Foden was sent off during the first half of Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Incident details
The England international kicked out at Fernandes after being fouled by the United captain, but replays showed Fernandes had appeared to kick Foden first. Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes Fernandes should have at least been booked for his role in the incident.
“I think this is an interesting one,” Hackett told Football Insider. “The minimum that the Man United player should have received is a yellow card because his actions were reckless.”
Hackett's verdict
“But it was a kick. So I'm actually saying he should have received a sanction. I've already spoken to one or two colleagues who believe that he should have been sent off.
“But the thing that persuades me towards yellow and against red is I don't think there was any excessive force and I generally don't think there was malice in it.
“But that's how I'm reading it, and that's me as an individual. But certainly not getting a yellow was an error by the referee.”
Maresca and Keane react
Speaking after the game, City boss Enzo Maresca explained why he believed Fernandes should have been sent off too. He said: "I think Phil Foden's red card is a red card, but I also think that in the same action it's a red card for Bruno Fernandes.
"I reviewed the action immediately after the red card on the bench. And it's a clear red card for Phil, because it's a reaction.
"But you can also see in the same action Bruno's intention. So for me, yes, it's a red card for Phil, but it's also a red card for Bruno."
Former United skipper Roy Keane said at half-time: "Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, does react, and he's now sent off.
"I'm guessing it's classed as violent conduct, but to me Bruno's the one who's violent here. I have to call it out.
"I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down to a headbutt [which Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund was sent off for in December 2024]. I don't think that's a red card for Foden, I really don't."
Before he added: "Did the player give the referee a chance [to send him off]? Foden's a bit daft here, but so is Bruno. If Bruno got sent off for that and nothing happened with Foden then we'd be saying, 'Do you know what, Bruno was a bit daft, a bit silly'.
"The players are all in the PFA [Professional Footballers' Association], everyone's in a union - you've got to try and look out for each other; you can't be rolling around.
"We saw Walker do it a few years ago with the headbutt and Bruno's got to do better there. People say there's tension and it's a big game, but you've got to look out for your team-mates and the opposition players as well. Foden, I don't think it's a red card."
