That’s what he said: Bruno Fernandes give clear verdicts on James Maddison claim after his red card
Bruno Fernandes recently revealed what James Maddison said to him following his red card during Manchester United’s match against Tottenham.
The game saw Tottenham take an early lead when Brennan Johnson scored from close range in just the third minute.
Despite Tottenham’s dominance, they were unable to extend their lead in the first half, which only heightened the frustration for the home side.
This frustration culminated in an aggressive challenge from Fernandes on Maddison as Spurs attempted a counterattack.
Referee Chris Kavanagh deemed the tackle to be serious foul play and promptly issued a straight red card to Fernandes in the 42nd minute.
The decision left the United captain visibly frustrated, and after the match, he shared his perspective with the media. He also disclosed what Maddison told him in the moments following the foul.
Fernandes, speaking to the Mirror, explained that he didn’t believe his challenge warranted a red card. He described the incident, saying, “Apart from slipping going in, I don’t take him as everyone wants to see it. I don’t go with the studs, I take him with my ankle. It’s a clear foul but never a red card.”
According to Fernandes, even Maddison, the player on the receiving end of the foul, agreed that it wasn’t worthy of a straight red. Fernandes recalled that Maddison told him, “It’s a foul, but it’s never a red card.”
The Portuguese midfielder made it clear that while he accepted responsibility for the foul, he didn’t believe it deserved such harsh punishment. He emphasized that his ankle, not his studs, had made contact with Maddison, which he felt should have led to a yellow card instead.
Maddison, despite being fouled, reportedly shared Fernandes’ view, indicating that the challenge didn’t justify a red card.
However, regardless of Maddison’s opinion, the decision stood, and Fernandes was sent off before halftime. With their captain off the field, Manchester United struggled to mount any real comeback.
Tottenham took full advantage of their numerical superiority, scoring two more goals in the second half to secure a commanding 3-0 victory.
The red card incident marked a pivotal moment in the match, as United’s hopes of recovering from their early deficit faded quickly after Fernandes’ dismissal.
Tottenham, meanwhile, capitalized on the situation and walked away with a crucial win against a top-four rival, further intensifying the pressure on Manchester United during a difficult run of form.
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