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Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has successfully had his red card rescinded following an appeal, meaning he will avoid a three-match suspension. The 18-year-old was sent off during Saturday’s Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers after a late challenge on Matt Doherty in the 43rd minute. Referee Michael Oliver deemed the tackle to be serious foul play, issuing a straight red card, a decision that was upheld by VAR official Darren England.
Arsenal quickly lodged an appeal, arguing that the dismissal was unjust. The case was reviewed by an independent Regulatory Commission appointed by the Football Association (FA), which ultimately ruled in the club’s favor.
An FA statement confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating: “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension. The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 25 January 2025.”
The decision comes as a significant boost for Arsenal, who are navigating a demanding fixture schedule. Lewis-Skelly is now eligible to feature in the Gunners’ upcoming matches, including their crucial Premier League showdown against Manchester City on Sunday and the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United next week.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his relief at the successful appeal, stating, “Obviously, I’m very happy that a decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play again.”
The reversal marks the third time this season that a Premier League red card has been overturned despite VAR intervention. Previous cases include Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard, both of whom had their dismissals overturned after appeals.
While the decision benefits Arsenal, the controversy surrounding the red card has led to external repercussions. Reports indicate that referee Michael Oliver and his family have received threats and online abuse following the incident. The authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter, underscoring the growing issue of referee abuse in football.
As Arsenal shift focus back to their upcoming fixtures, Lewis-Skelly’s availability will be a welcome boost as they aim to maintain their momentum in both domestic and cup competitions.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @myleslewisskell, pexels / Huy Phan
