BREAKING NEWS: CHAOS AT OLD TRAFFORD! Manchester United Fans Outraged as referee deny Carlos Baleba Red Card for Controversial Foul. Carlos Baleba’s controversial foul on Joshua Zirkzee has Manchester United fans outraged. Was it a clear red card? Some are calling it a ‘wrestling move,’ while others say he robbed Zirkzee of a clear scoring chance. And yet, Baleba stayed on the pitch!
Manchester United fans were left outraged following a controversial moment in their Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford. The incident occurred in the 23rd minute when Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba pulled down Joshua Zirkzee as he advanced towards goal. Although the referee awarded a penalty, Baleba was only shown a yellow card, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Bruno Fernandes converted the spot-kick to bring United level at 1-1, but the focus quickly shifted to the officiating decision.
According to football regulations, a red card is typically issued when a player denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity through a deliberate foul, such as pulling or holding, without attempting to play the ball. In this case, many believed Baleba’s actions met these criteria, sparking heated reactions from Manchester United fans. Social media was flooded with criticism, with one supporter describing the foul as a blatant “wrestling move,” while another questioned the referee’s decision-making by asking, “What sport is Baleba even playing?”
Despite the controversy, Brighton regained their momentum in the second half, with goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter securing a 3-1 victory. This loss marked United’s third consecutive home defeat to Brighton and their sixth home defeat of the season, deepening frustration among the club’s supporters. Beyond the disappointing result, fans were particularly critical of the match officials and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which did not intervene to upgrade Baleba’s yellow card to a red. Many United supporters voiced their discontent, with some labeling VAR as unreliable and biased.
The incident has reignited ongoing debates about refereeing consistency and VAR’s effectiveness in the Premier League. Supporters and analysts alike are calling for greater transparency and consistency in decision-making, with some suggesting that clearer guidelines and communication are needed to maintain the integrity of the game. The frustration among Manchester United fans is compounded by their team’s struggles on the pitch, and they believe such officiating errors only add to their woes.
As reactions continue to pour in, questions remain about whether refereeing authorities will address the issue and provide clarity on such contentious decisions. Moving forward, Manchester United will need to refocus on their performances while hoping for fairer officiating in their upcoming fixtures.
