Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly Red Card Appeal: FA Overturns Decision

Arsenal fans have been given a boost after the FA accepted the club’s appeal against the controversial red card issued to Myles Lewis-Skelly during Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This decision clears the young left-back to participate in upcoming crucial games. Here’s the full breakdown of the incident and its aftermath.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card Controversy

The 18-year-old left-back received a straight red card from referee Michael Oliver shortly before half-time at Molineux. Lewis-Skelly had tripped Matt Doherty to prevent a dangerous counterattack, an act that most expected to result in a yellow card.

However, Oliver deemed the trip to constitute “serious foul play,” and VAR Darren England upheld the decision during the game. The unexpected red card left Arsenal down to ten men, sparking outrage among players, fans, and pundits alike.

Arsenal Launch Successful Appeal

Mikel Arteta publicly criticized the decision, prompting Arsenal to file an appeal on Tuesday. Later that day, the FA’s independent Regulatory Commission ruled in favor of the Gunners, confirming that the dismissal was unwarranted.

In a statement, Arsenal announced:
“An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension.”

This ruling allows Lewis-Skelly to feature in Arsenal’s upcoming critical fixtures, including Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City and the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United.

Backlash and Referee Safety Concerns

While Arsenal fans celebrated the overturned ban, the controversy has unfortunately had darker repercussions. Referee Michael Oliver, who made the original decision, has faced severe online abuse, including death threats. As a result, Oliver is now under police protection and has been taken off officiating duties for Arsenal’s upcoming match against Manchester City.

This escalation serves as a stark reminder of the toxic environment referees often face in the modern game, overshadowing what should have been a moment of relief for the club and its fans.

Join the Conversation
Do you think the red card decision was justified initially, or did the FA make the right call in overturning it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!