Premier League Updates referee explains five reasons for his errors not awarding a Red Card to Lisandro Martinez after a harsh attack on Kamada in the Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace Football Club game and apologizes to the Crystal Palace supporters, saying “It was not my decision.”

In a surprising turn of events, Premier League referee Mike Dean has released a statement explaining why he decided against issuing a red card to Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez following a tough challenge on Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada during their recent match. Dean revealed that his decision was influenced by several key factors.

Firstly, Dean believed that Martinez had made contact with the ball before making contact with Kamada, which he considered a legitimate attempt to play the ball. He also took into account that Kamada had held onto the ball for a significant amount of time before the tackle, which, in Dean’s opinion, made the challenge more justified. After reviewing the incident multiple times, Dean concluded that Martinez had no intent to injure Kamada.

In his statement, Dean also noted that he had consulted with his assistant referees, who agreed that the tackle did not merit a red card. He expressed regret to Crystal Palace fans for any frustration caused and implied that external factors may have influenced his decision, adding that it was not his decision alone.

“I understand that many fans are upset with my decision not to send off Lisandro Martinez,” Dean stated. “However, my judgment was based on the evidence available and my professional assessment of the situation. I apologize to Crystal Palace supporters who feel wronged, but I want to assure them that this was not solely my decision.”

The decision has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the consistency of refereeing standards. The Premier League has since launched an investigation, and a formal report is expected soon.

The controversy surrounding the incident continued when it was confirmed that VAR upheld Dean’s decision to only issue Martinez a yellow card. The tackle itself was alarming, with Martinez leaping into the air and landing just inches from Kamada, who had possession of the ball. Although Martinez was fortunate to avoid direct contact, the challenge was reckless and could have easily caused serious injury.

Crystal Palace players, particularly their midfielders, were visibly upset, with Dean Henderson’s protest leading to him being shown a yellow card as well. While the VAR review was thorough, the officials determined that the challenge was careless but not reckless or intentional. This decision has reignited ongoing discussions about the reliability of VAR, with some arguing that it remains inconsistent in crucial moments, while others defend it as essential for maintaining fairness.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton expressed his disappointment, noting the dangerous nature of the tackle and the potential for severe injury. Warburton emphasized that referees need to take stronger stances against such reckless challenges to protect players.

Martinez was met with boos from Palace supporters for the remainder of the match, reflecting the frustration many fans felt over the decision. While the outcome of the game was not directly affected by the incident, it serves as a lesson for Martinez to refine his tackling technique and avoid similar situations in the future.

The incident has certainly divided opinions, with some feeling that Martinez was lucky to escape with a yellow card. What are your thoughts on the tackle and the response? Was the decision fair, or should a red card have been given?