BREAKING NEWS: Live from Fabrizio Romano; After thorough reviews of the intense 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Chelsea on Sunday, FIFA has announced a four-match suspension for United’s Lisandro Martinez—This decision follows his aggressive tackle on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, which caused significant concern for player safety. Initially, the tackle was reviewed by VAR, which deemed it reckless but not enough for a red card. However, FIFA’s post-match review has resulted in a stricter disciplinary response to address the severity of the incident and emphasize player protection.
Late in the game, Martinez made a forceful tackle on Palmer, leaving the Chelsea player limping and raising immediate concerns among fans and staff.
The incident was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which deemed the challenge reckless but not severe enough for a red card, allowing Martinez to continue with just a yellow card. This decision drew widespread criticism, with many fans and analysts arguing that the tackle warranted a harsher punishment.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his disappointment, suggesting that Martinez’s challenge crossed the line of fair play and should have resulted in an immediate red card.
In the aftermath, FIFA launched an investigation and later issued a statement confirming a four-game ban for Martinez, citing the severity of the tackle and its potential threat to player safety. This decision highlights FIFA’s increased focus on player welfare and sets a precedent against dangerous challenges.
The suspension means Martinez will miss several key games, adding to Manchester United’s challenges during an already difficult season. Meanwhile, Chelsea is focused on Palmer’s recovery. Although he walked off the pitch unaided, he was seen icing his knee after the match, sparking concerns about his availability for future games. Chelsea’s medical team remains hopeful the injury is minor, as Palmer has a week to recover before their next Premier League match against Arsenal. Fortunately, he was not slated to play in Chelsea’s midweek Conference League match due to registration issues.
The incident has reignited debates about VAR and the consistency of its decisions in addressing dangerous play. Many Chelsea supporters criticized the initial ruling, arguing that the failure to issue a red card did not reflect the seriousness of the tackle. While FIFA’s post-match intervention provides some correction, questions remain about how such incidents should be handled in real-time to ensure consistent enforcement of safety standards.
As the season unfolds, both teams must adapt to these developments. Chelsea will monitor Palmer’s condition closely, hoping for a swift recovery, while Manchester United faces the task of managing without Martinez for four crucial matches.
