Roy Keane has openly disputed the decision to send Phil Foden off during the Manchester derby, arguing that the Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes should have borne more responsibility for the incident that led to the City forward’s dismissal. The controversy erupted after Foden received a straight red card in the first half of Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, following a clash with the United midfielder. The sequence began when Foden was fouled by Fernandes, prompting the young City player to react with a kick toward the Portuguese international.
The referee interpreted the action as violent conduct and showed Foden a red card, a decision that was later confirmed by VAR. In the immediate aftermath, Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville expressed surprise that Fernandes escaped any sanction, noting that the footage appeared to show the United player initiating the contact. Keane, a former United captain and now a pundit for Sky Sports, echoed Neville’s sentiment. He described the incident as "violent" and suggested that Fernandes’ challenge was the catalyst for the escalation.
"Bruno goes in, tackles him, clearly fouls him and gives him a little boot on the floor. Foden gets up, reacts, and he’s now sent off," Keane said on air. He went on to label the situation as "violent conduct" but argued that the blame lay primarily with Fernandes, not Foden. The former United star did not shy away from criticism, recalling a previous incident involving Kyle Walker, who was reprimanded for a head‑butt in a match that also saw Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund receive a red card in December 2024.
Keane remarked, "I called Kyle Walker out a few years ago when he went down to a head‑butt. I don’t think that’s a red card for Foden, I really don’t." Keane further questioned the referee’s judgment, asking whether the official had been given a chance to assess the full scope of the altercation. He described Foden’s reaction as "a bit daft" but suggested that Fernandes’ initial strike was equally, if not more, reckless. "If Bruno got sent off for that and nothing happened with Foden then we’d be saying, ‘Do you know what, Bruno was a bit daft, a bit silly’," he said.
Keane emphasized the responsibility players have toward each other, noting that all participants are members of the Professional Footballers’ Association and should act with a degree of professionalism, even in high‑stakes matches. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was also asked to weigh in on the matter.
He acknowledged that the red card to Foden was justified, describing it as a clear case of violent conduct. However, Maresca added that the same incident could be interpreted as a red card offense for Fernandes as well.
"I reviewed the action immediately after the red card on the bench. It’s a clear red card for Phil because it’s a reaction, but you can also see Bruno’s intention. So for me, yes, it’s a red card for Phil, but it’s also a red card for Bruno," he explained. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed the sentiment that Fernandes should have faced disciplinary action.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Richards said, "Foden didn’t react. If he had started screaming on the floor, then Bruno Fernandes would have been sent off.
It looks worse than it is. I agree with Roy – Fernandes catches him! I don’t agree with Foden’s response, but it’s Fernandes who started it." The Premier League’s Match Centre later released a statement confirming that VAR had reviewed the incident and upheld the referee’s decision. The official note read: "REF: 'Red card Phil Foden – kick out into the body of Bruno'.
VAR: 'That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement. Confirming the red card for Manchester City No.47'." The derby itself was rife with contentious moments beyond the Foden incident. Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 60th minute was initially ruled out for off‑side, only to be reinstated after a VAR review.
The review concluded that while Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu was onside when the ball was played, City midfielder Enzo Fernández was in an off‑side position and appeared to interfere with United defender Lisandro Martínez’s line of sight, a factor that should have kept the goal disallowed under the laws of the game. Pro Ref, the officiating body, later admitted an "error in judgement" regarding the goal, acknowledging the mistake three hours after full‑time and indicating that a formal apology would be issued. The fallout from the match has sparked a broader debate about consistency in disciplinary standards, especially in high‑profile fixtures. Critics argue that the disparity in treatment between Foden and Fernandes highlights a need for clearer guidelines on violent conduct and the role of VAR in adjudicating such incidents.
Supporters of the referee’s decision maintain that the rules were applied correctly, pointing to the explicit kick on the ball‑carrier as the decisive factor. As the season progresses, the incident will likely be revisited in discussions about player conduct, referee training, and the use of technology in football. For now, Keane’s outspoken criticism serves as a reminder that even seasoned professionals can disagree sharply on split‑second decisions that shape the outcome of a match.