Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea this weekend after receiving an additional one-match suspension and a £30,000 fine following his red card against Bournemouth.
The 33-year-old defender had already served a one-game ban for the dismissal, which ruled him out of United’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on April 14. The latest sanction, confirmed by the Football Association on April 15, extends that absence to Saturday’s match at Stamford Bridge.
Red card incident and FA charge
Maguire was sent off in the 78th minute of United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on March 20 at the Vitality Stadium after bringing down Evanilson in the penalty area, with the decision upheld following a VAR review.
The FA subsequently charged him with improper conduct relating to his behaviour towards fourth official Matt Donohue as he left the pitch.
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes appealing the decision/ Image: Machester United
In a statement, the FA said:
“The defender was charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 20 March.
“It was alleged that Harry Maguire acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.
“The defender subsequently admitted the charge. The Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing and its written reasons for them can be seen below.”
What Maguire said, and his response
According to Donohue’s match report, Maguire approached him after the dismissal and said:
“You’re a joke. You’re all a f****** joke.”
Donohue added:
“In the 78th minute of the game, referee Stuart Attwell sent off Manchester United #5 Harry Maguire.
“After the VAR check was complete, Maguire, as he was leaving the field of play, approached me and shouted, ‘You’re a joke. You’re all a f****** joke.’
“I am reporting the matter to the Football Association for further review.”
Maguire disputed the interpretation in his written submission, saying:
“As I left the field of play following my dismissal I said something along the lines of ‘it is a ******** joke’.
“I am certain that I did not call the fourth official or any match official, a joke or use any other form of insult.”
He did, however, accept that his conduct crossed a line and apologised for his actions.
The Regulatory Commission considered imposing a two-match ban but, “taking mitigating factors into account,” including his admission of the charge, settled on a one-match extension.
Impact on Manchester United’s defence
The timing leaves Manchester United short at centre-back for a key fixture.
Maguire had started United’s previous 10 Premier League matches before his suspension and was already absent for the Leeds defeat, where Lisandro Martínez started alongside Leny Yoro. Martínez was then sent off in that match for violent conduct after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair, ruling him out of the Chelsea game as well.
Manager Michael Carrick described Martínez’s dismissal as “one of the worst” decisions he has seen and indicated the club could appeal.
What it means for the table
United go into the weekend third in the Premier League, level on points with fourth-placed Aston Villa and three points clear of Liverpool in fifth, with six games remaining.
A win for Chelsea FC, who are currently sixth, at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 18, would cut the gap to four points and tighten the race for
Champions League qualification, with kickoff scheduled for 20:00 BST.
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