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Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card Overturned: Arsenal Avoids A Ban

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has successfully avoided a three-match suspension following a successful appeal against his red card issued during the Gunners’ narrow win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The 18-year-old player was controversially sent off by referee Michael Oliver in the first half for bringing down Matt Doherty in a challenge deep in his own half, becoming the third youngest player in Premier League history to be dismissed in such a manner. Arsenal acted quickly to contest the decision, and the Football Association’s ruling means that the talented full-back will be eligible to play in upcoming matches.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his strong discontent with the original decision, which received widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike. At a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League matchup against Girona, Arteta remarked, “Obviously, I’m very happy that a decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play again.”

With the appeal successful, Lewis-Skelly is set to return for crucial fixtures, including a home match against Manchester City and a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle. Arteta noted that Lewis-Skelly was resting during the flight when he learned of the appeal’s outcome and imagined the young player’s joy upon hearing the news.

An official statement from the FA confirmed that an independent regulatory commission had sided with Arsenal, stating, “An independent regulatory commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension.” The ruling acknowledged that Lewis-Skelly was initially sent off for a serious foul during the match against Wolves on January 25, 2025.

The overturning of the red card came despite the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) supporting the original decision, citing that the foul was “extremely late” and warranted a dismissal based on the video review evidence.

In the match, Arsenal not only overcame the setback of a controversial red card but also witnessed Wolves reduced to ten men later in the game. The decisive goal from Riccardo Calafiori secured the three points, keeping Arsenal in the title race against rivals Liverpool.

Expert Opinions on the Decision

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson commented on the incident, suggesting that the red card was unjustified. He remarked, “I personally didn’t think it was a red. I thought Michael Oliver was very sharp getting his card out. The people in VAR have got to intervene then.” Merson emphasized the importance of having individuals in VAR who possess a deep understanding of football when assessing such crucial decisions.

Online Backlash Against Referee Michael Oliver

The backlash against Oliver’s ruling led to considerable online abuse, prompting the PGMOL to issue a statement condemning the threats directed at the referee and his family. The organization highlighted, “We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal fixture,” and confirmed that a police investigation is underway in response to the harassment.

Arteta expressed the need for greater action to curb abuse in football, stating, “We have to really work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff.” He called for a collective effort from everyone within the sport to eliminate this kind of negative behavior.

Support for a Better Refereeing Environment

As a separate note of concern, the UK Football Policing Unit announced ongoing investigations into the threats made towards officials, revealing that they are collaborating with social media platforms to identify offenders.

Wider Reactions to the Appeal Outcome

Former manager Alan Pardew weighed in, declaring the decision to overturn the red card as correct. He noted, “The tackle was innocuous to me. It was just a trip and I think the referee got it completely wrong, so I think that was justice.” Kaveh Solhekol from Sky Sports added that the successful appeal process demonstrated the effectiveness of existing systems, stating, “If you feel that you’ve been hard done by, there is a process by which you can appeal and the right decision has been reached.”

As Arsenal continues its strong season, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by referees, the players, and the broader football community in tackling abuse and ensuring fair play on the pitch.

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