A former Manchester United star has strongly criticized FIFA and the Football Association (FA) for what he perceives as clear double standards following the three-match suspension of defender Patrick Dorgu. He believes the punishment is unnecessarily harsh and reflects a flawed disciplinary system that lacks fairness.
The controversy erupted during Manchester United’s recent 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. In the first half, Dorgu was involved in a mix-up with goalkeeper Andre Onana, which led to an early goal for Ipswich. Soon after, he was shown a straight red card for a tough challenge on Omari Hutchinson, following a VAR review. Referee Darren England initially let the incident go but later ruled it as serious foul play upon reviewing the footage.
Reacting to the decision, the former United player voiced his frustration, insisting that while the tackle was strong, it did not warrant such severe punishment. He accused the FA of bias, pointing out that worse challenges in football have gone unpunished or received far lighter sanctions. According to him, inconsistency in officiating is one of the biggest problems in the sport, as similar incidents often result in drastically different outcomes.
Dorgu’s absence comes at a difficult time for United, with the young Danish defender set to miss the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Fulham, along with key Premier League games against Arsenal and Leicester City. Manager Rúben Amorim acknowledged the aggressive nature of the tackle but maintained that Dorgu had no malicious intent. The suspension has not only left United short of defensive options but has also reignited debates about the fairness of football’s disciplinary process. Many within the football community continue to call for greater consistency and transparency in officiating decisions.
