Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has had his three-match suspension overturned following a successful appeal by the club. Lewis Kelly was sent off during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday after a controversial challenge on Matt Doherty. Initially, referee Michael Oliver deemed the tackle serious foul play, and his decision was upheld by video assistant referee (VAR) Darren England. However, an independent regulatory commission reviewed the case and ruled in Arsenal’s favor, the Football Association (FA) confirmed.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the verdict on Tuesday night, ahead of their Champions League group stage clash with Girona. “We’re very happy that decision has been made,” Arteta stated. “The club has put all the evidence together to defend our position, and it was pretty fast. It’s good to know today, basically—that’s helpful. Now we have more options because Lewis skelly going to be available, and that’s something very positive for the team.”
Lewis-Skelly: Controversy Over Refereeing and Abuse Directed at Michael Oliver
The red card decision had sparked outrage among Arsenal supporters, with Arteta himself voicing his frustration immediately after the match. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he called the decision “so obvious” that he did not need to explain his discontent. In a separate interview with Sky Sports, he further vented his anger, stating, “I am absolutely fuming, but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious, I don’t think my words are going to help.”
The controversy surrounding the decision took an ugly turn when referee Michael Oliver reportedly received threats and abuse online. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the governing body for match officials in England, confirmed that police have launched an investigation into the matter. This incident once again highlights the increasing scrutiny and pressure on referees in top-flight football, particularly in the era of VAR, where contentious decisions continue to stir heated debates among fans and pundits alike.
Lewis-Skelly’s Controversial Red Card: Pundits Slam Decision as “One of the Worst”
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Matt Doherty, sparking intense debate among football pundits and fans alike. Referee Michael Oliver wasted no time in brandishing the red, and despite expectations, VAR declined to send him to the pitchside monitor for a second review. The Premier League’s official guidelines state that “high, full, and forceful contact on the ankle or above is considered dangerous” and warrants a red card. However, many experts believe this particular incident did not meet that threshold.
The decision was widely criticized, with Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, calling it “one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time.” Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Shearer argued that referees sometimes make mistakes in real time, but the bigger concern was that VAR had multiple replays and still upheld the red card. Arsenal substitute Riccardo Calafiori also expressed his disbelief, telling Sky Sports, “From the bench, it was clearly not a red card.” Manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, welcomed the appeal decision that overturned the red, saying, “I’m obviously really happy that Myles Lewis-Skelly is going to be available for us.”
Pundits React: A Harsh Call or Justified Decision?
Football analysts and former players were divided, though most leaned towards the decision being overly harsh. On Match of the Day, Shearer reiterated that the tackle deserved only a yellow card. “There was no speed, no intensity, and it was 90 yards from goal—never, ever a red card,” he insisted. His primary frustration lay with VAR’s role in the decision-making process, questioning how multiple officials, after watching replays, still deemed it serious foul play.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean provided a contrasting view on Sky Sports, arguing that still images showed Lewis-Skelly’s studs raking down Doherty’s Achilles. However, Pat Nevin, former Chelsea and Scotland winger, strongly disagreed, saying, “It must be for violent conduct, but that doesn’t look like violent conduct. I have never seen that in my life.” Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha also dismissed the decision, predicting that it would be overturned quickly. “It’s a tough moment for Arsenal, but that’s not a red,” he asserted. Ultimately, the reversal of the red card only reinforced widespread belief that the initial decision was unjustified, raising further concerns about VAR’s consistency in the Premier League.
