The Premier League has shed light on the circumstances behind Casemiro’s dismissal in Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea, confirming that the midfielder received a second yellow card for pulling back Andrey Santos during a Chelsea counterattack. The league explained that the referee acted in accordance with the rules, and since it was a second booking, VAR had no role in the decision.
Casemiro had already been cautioned earlier for a late challenge on Enzo Fernandez, but despite also finding the net for United, his foul just before halftime proved costly as it left his side down to ten men. The dismissal inevitably shifted the tempo of the contest and forced United to adapt their approach for the rest of the match.
His sending-off carries an automatic one-game suspension, ruling him out of United’s upcoming meeting with Brentford. He will be available again when the team faces AFC Sunderland on October 4. Because the dismissal came from a second yellow rather than a straight red, United have no grounds to appeal.
Chelsea also faced disciplinary issues in the same game, as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was shown a straight red in the opening minutes for fouling Bryan Mbeumo outside the box. That offense carries only a one-match suspension for denying a clear scoring chance, meaning Sanchez will miss Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fixture against Lincoln City but remain eligible for league action.
The Premier League’s clarification underscores the delicate balance referees must strike in fast-paced moments, where a single decision can alter the flow of a game. Even so, United held firm and secured a 2-1 victory, showing grit and composure despite being a man down for much of the contest.
