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Arsenal Football Club successfully appealed the red card given to midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly in the 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 25, 2025. The Football Association confirmed that an Independent Regulatory Commission overturned the decision and viewed it as a case of wrongful dismissal.
Overview of the Incident
In the first half of the match at Molineux Stadium, the 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly was given a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver after he challenged Wolves’ Matt Doherty. The VAR during the game upheld the decision as Arsenal was reduced to ten men. Despite this, the Gunners secured a 1-0 win; this was their first victory this season when going one man down.
Club’s Response
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was incensed by the red card, described it as one of the worst refereeing decisions he’d ever seen, and said he was certain the decision would be overturned on appeal, citing a similar incident involving Bruno Fernandes that was rescinded.
Appeal Process and Outcome
After the game, Arsenal immediately appealed to the FA over the validity of the red card. An Independent Regulatory Commission viewed the incident and ruled that the dismissal was incorrect. This lifted Lewis-Skelly’s three-match suspension, freeing him for selection in all upcoming games, including the crucial Premier League game against Manchester City.
Reactions and Aftermath
The red card was widely criticized by the fans, pundits, and former players. Arsenal legend Ian Wright castigated the inconsistency in officiating in the Premier League and called for better standards among the referees.
In the disturbing aftermath, referee Michael Oliver and his family received threats over the incident. The UK Football Policing Unit has launched an investigation into the incident and is collaborating with social media companies to find those involved. Police protection guards Oliver’s family home.
With this successful appeal, Myles Lewis-Skelly is now available for selection in forthcoming games for Arsenal. The incident will now be put behind them as the club tries to focus on their improvement in the Premier League and other competitions. Arsenal still strongly mentions and supports fair play and the integrity of the game, indicating the importance of correct refereeing in football.
