Howard Webb causes outrage with Phil Foden red card verdict after Manchester derby
Howard Webb has caused outrage online after agreeing with Michael Oliver's decision to send Phil Foden off during the Manchester derby.
Foden saw red midway through the first half at Old Trafford after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in retaliation.
City's No. 47 was angry that United's captain kicked him twice while he was on the ground, and Oliver instantly judged his reaction as an act of 'violent conduct'.
Howard Webb agrees with Phil Foden's red card in Manchester derby
Foden's dismissal was contentious as United captain Fernandes overreacted to the contact, with Jamie Carragher branding him as "really poor" for rolling around in an attempt to get Man City's playmaker sent off.
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A red card didn't stop Enzo Maresca's side from securing a 1-0 victory, though, in even more controversial circumstances, as Pro Ref chief refereeing officer Howard Webb admitted that Erling Haaland's winner shouldn't have stood because Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position when he attempted to play the ball.
The decision to give the goal, instead of ruling it out completely, has caused mass outrage - similar to Webb's view on Foden's red card.
Speaking on the latest episode of Match Officials Mic'd Up - in which Webb is questioned by Michael Owen on the most notable decisions of a Premier League weekend - the 55-year-old agreed with Foden's red card and explained why Fernandes also wasn't given his marching orders.
"I agree with the red card for Phil Foden for violent conduct. He kicks out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes," says Webb. "And that's seen by the referee, and that's the on-field call; a red card for Foden."
"Now, when you look at the footage, there's that petulant kick by Bruno Fernandes into the backside of Foden. It's more petulant than violent. To be violent conduct, it has to have excessive force or brutality, and when you look at that particularly in full speed, it doesn't have those elements.
"Therefore, this would be a yellow card offence, and the VAR can't step in to recommend the referee looks at the screen to give a yellow card.
"Of course, if all of this is missed and nothing is given against Foden, the VAR could step in so the referee could see Foden's actions for a possible red card, and they would capture Fernandes' yellow card action. But because the referee gave the red card on the field, that option's not open to the VAR."
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Howard Webb criticised for Phil Foden red card verdict
Webb has sparked outrage on social media for suggesting that Foden kicked Fernandes with "force", when many interpreted that the contact didn't justify a red card being shown.
This viewpoint from the ex-Premier League referee caused one person to say: "Kicks out with force into the upper body? Lmao."
While another commented: "Foden literally touching him barely is violent but bruno making contact kicking Foden twice is petulant; Webb is pathetic."
"Just watched this, and when justifying Bruno not being sent off they’ve said it’s not violent conduct because violent conduct is ‘excessive force or brutality’. I’m unsure where Foden used excessive force or brutality," someone else pointed out.
"This is the insanity I am talking about. They apologize to United but justify and double down to us. How the hell can you look at the footage and come to the conclusion that Bruno's kick is "petulant" and Foden's is violent? Bruno's kick is significantly more forceful," a fourth agreed.
One of the most controversial Manchester derbies in recent memory certainly delivered no shortage of drama, as the two key flashpoints from the match continue to cause a huge debate.
Topics: Premier League, Phil Foden, Bruno Fernandes
Thomas Griffin