Phil Foden was sent off in the Manchester derby, and the football world is still arguing about whether he deserved it.
The 26-year-old Manchester City midfielder was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes midway through the first half at Old Trafford. The incident happened after Fernandes tripped Foden, who then reacted by kicking out at the Portuguese midfielder’s body while on the ground. Referee Michael Oliver showed the red card immediately, and the decision stood after VAR confirmed it.
Foden becomes just the second City player to be sent off in a Premier League Manchester derby, following Bernardo Corradi’s dismissal in December 2006. The game was barely past 23 minutes when he walked down the tunnel, and the controversy has continued ever since.
The Incident, As Seen On TV
The sequence unfolded in stages. Foden picked up the ball wide on the right-hand side in his own half and was closed down by Fernandes, who tripped him. Foden then kicked out at Fernandes while on the ground, and Oliver reached for the red card.
Replays appeared to show Fernandes kicking Foden in the back first, before Foden responded. The video assistant referee checked the incident and confirmed the on-field decision. Fernandes did not receive a booking for his part in the incident.
The key details are simple:
- Incident: Midway through the first half
- Player sent off: Phil Foden, Manchester City
- Reason: Kicking out at Bruno Fernandes
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR decision: Confirmed the red card
- Previous City dismissal in derby: Bernardo Corradi, December 2006
Pundits Weigh In
The reaction from pundits was immediate and divided. Some defended Foden; others condemned him. The debate split along familiar lines, with each camp pointing to a different frame of the incident.
Wayne Rooney argued the red card was too harsh. “That can’t be a red card,” he said. “It was more of a flick or a gesture, than a kick out.”
Danny Murphy took the opposite view. “Bruno kicked Foden first, but that’s not a red for him,” he said. “But then Foden did kick out at him and if you kick upwards, you are going to get a red.”
Gary Neville noted the human cost of the decision. “A painful moment for Foden to have to make that run down the long tunnel,” he said. He also wondered about Fernandes. “I’m surprised Fernandes didn’t get a yellow for the kick on the floor, he’s certainly pulled a reaction out of Foden which will help his team-mates.”
Paul Robinson was harsher on Foden. “Initially it looks really stupid from Phil Foden,” he said. “He kicks out in the midriff of Bruno Fernandes. There is absolutely no way it was going to be overturned. That was petulant, that was stupid and he could have cost his side.”
Roy Keane took the most direct position in favour of Foden. “Foden gets up and reacts obviously, so he’s sent off,” he said. “Fernandes catches him and gives him a little kick. I guess it’s classed as violent. But Fernandes is the one who is violent here, I don’t think Foden should have a red card.”
Fans React
The fans were just as divided as the pundits. One Croydon-based supporter named John captured the frustration felt by many neutrals. “That is one of those decisions that pundits will insist is correct, but people in pubs up and down the country know is bonkers. Game is gone.”
A Brighton-based United fan named Thomas agreed that the red was excessive. “Utd fan but that’s never a red! Why didn’t VAR overturn? Yellow all day long for Foden and Fernandes.”
Lee, from Surrey, took a similar line. “Never a red, if it is then Bruno should get red for kicking him on the floor. Absolute joke officials.”
Callum, from London, went further. “You have to send them both off. Fernandes has clearly kicked a man on the floor. That is frankly disgraceful from the pair of them. Both should be seeing a long ban.”
David, from East Kilbride, had a simpler view. “What was Foden thinking? A clear red card.” Mike, from Glossop, was blunt. “Filthy Foden. Nailed on red card.”
Dale Johnson’s Explanation
The BBC’s issues correspondent, Dale Johnson, offered a broader context for why Fernandes escaped punishment. He explained that VAR cannot intervene in yellow-card decisions, which means the Portuguese midfielder’s actions were left unaddressed by the officials.
“The referee and VAR would have to deem it violent conduct rather than just petulance from Fernandes,” Johnson said. “The guidance changed some years ago to factor that in, so David Beckham’s kick on Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup would not result in a sending off today.”
Johnson also addressed the nature of Fernandes’ kick. “So Bruno’s act would be seen as a yellow card offence, which the VAR obviously can’t get involved in,” he concluded.
Comparing the Views
The punditry split neatly into two camps. Those who defended Foden focused on Fernandes’ role in provoking the reaction. Those who condemned him focused on the kick itself.
| View | Key Point | |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Rooney | Against the red | Called it a flick or gesture |
| Danny Murphy | For the red | Said Foden’s kick was upward |
| Gary Neville | Divided/surprised | Surprised Fernandes got no yellow |
| Paul Robinson | Against Foden | Called it petulant and stupid |
| Roy Keane | For Foden | Argued Fernandes was the violent one |
The Official Position
The VAR confirmed the red card stands. Foden was shown the card, the incident was checked, and the decision remained unchanged. Fernandes did not receive a booking.
But the argument is not settled. Roy Keane’s point carries weight: if Fernandes’ kick was violent enough to provoke a reaction, then the victim of that violence should not be punished for responding.
The game was over early. Foden’s run down the tunnel was a painful moment for him and his team.
Fernandes was fortunate not to receive at least a yellow card for his part in the incident. The guidance around violent conduct has changed since the Beckham-Simeone incident, and Fernandes’ act would now be seen as a yellow offence.
The incident split the punditry completely. The fans were divided. The VAR confirmed the red.
Foden dismissed in derby — but did he deserve it? The answer depends on which frame of the incident you look at.
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