Professional Refereeing chief Howard Webb has stood by the decision to dismiss Phil Foden during the Manchester derby, explaining that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was unable to intervene and issue a caution to Bruno Fernandes for the "petulant" foot‑strike that ignited the confrontation. The incident unfolded in Manchester City’s narrow 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford, when Foden, after being brought down by United captain Bruno Fernandes, retaliated with a forceful kick that the referee deemed violent conduct and consequently showed a red card.
The controversy stems from the fact that Fernandes appeared to have initiated the clash with a quick jab at Foden before the City forward reacted. Yet, during the VAR review, the officials seemed distracted by a separate potential penalty involving Enzo Fernandez and Youri Tielemans, which caused a degree of confusion in the on‑screen dialogue. While referee Michael Oliver was in the process of brandishing the red card for Foden, VAR official Matt Donohue can be heard asking, "Who has been sent off and for what?" shortly after the penalty discussion began. Donohue was then prompted by his assistants to examine the kick from Fernandes to Foden, the very action that sparked the melee.
The subsequent audio captures a back‑and‑forth between the VAR team and the referee: the VAR confirms that Enzo Fernandez had indeed played the ball and that there was no penalty to award, then shifts focus to the alleged kick‑out. The assistant VAR describes the incident as a possible "kick‑out" and asks the referee whether the contact was deliberate. Oliver ultimately declares a red card for Foden, stating that the City player struck Fernandes in the torso with both feet after a tussle.
Webb, who now serves as the chief operating officer of the Professional Referees' Association, later gave a detailed statement. He said, "I agree with the red card for Phil Foden for violent conduct. He kicked out with force into the upper body of Bruno Fernandes.
We have seen a similar dismissal for João Gomes at Aston Villa, and the on‑field referee made the correct call." Webb went on to differentiate between the two players' actions, describing Fernandes's response as "petulant" rather than violent. He argued that, under the Laws of the Game, a yellow card would be appropriate for a petulant kick, but VAR does not have the authority to impose a caution retroactively. "If the referee had missed everything and no sanction had been given to Foden, VAR could have stepped in to recommend a red card for him and a yellow for Fernandes. Because the referee already issued the red, the option to intervene on the yellow was closed," Webb explained.
Sky Sports analyst Laura Hunter echoed many of Webb's points while adding her own critique. She noted that the VAR review was "all over the place" and highlighted that the lead VAR official appeared preoccupied with the earlier penalty situation, potentially overlooking the crucial trigger for Foden's retaliation. "The immediacy of Oliver's decision to send Fonda off suggests he was convinced of violent conduct," Hunter wrote. "The bar for VAR intervention in subjective matters has been deliberately raised to avoid endless re‑refereeing, which is a sensible approach, but the failure to examine Fernandes's initial kick is a glaring omission." Hunter argued that both players should have received equal treatment.
She pointed out that the Manchester United captain was the first offender, delivering a sharp jab that provoked Foden's response. "The decision not to punish Fernandes for the exact same action that earned Foden a red card is a huge oversight," she said. "VAR's job is to alert the referee to anything the on‑field official missed, and in this case that includes the trigger for the retaliation." The incident sparked a broader discussion about the role of VAR in handling violent conduct and petty retaliation.
Critics argue that while VAR is designed to correct clear and obvious errors, it is not intended to re‑judge every subjective judgment call. Supporters of the current system contend that limiting VAR intervention preserves the flow of the game and respects the authority of the on‑field referee.
In this particular case, the referee's swift decision to issue a red card for Foden was upheld because there was no clear error, even though many observers felt that Fernandes's earlier kick warranted at least a caution. The controversy also raised questions about consistency in disciplinary actions across the Premier League. Similar incidents have resulted in varying outcomes, with some players receiving yellow cards for relatively minor infractions and others being sent off for more severe actions. The lack of a uniform standard can lead to confusion among players, coaches, and fans alike.
In summary, Howard Webb defended the red card shown to Phil Foden, emphasizing that the referee's on‑field judgment was correct and that VAR could not step in to issue a yellow card for Bruno Fernandes. While the VAR team did eventually review the incident, their attention was split between multiple events, which may have contributed to the perception of an incomplete assessment.
The episode underscores the ongoing debate about how much authority VAR should have in policing both violent conduct and less severe, but still unsporting, behavior. It also highlights the need for clearer guidelines on when VAR can intervene in cases of retaliation, ensuring that both sides of a dispute are examined fairly and consistently.