January 28, (THEWILL) – Myles Lewis-Skelly has been cleared to play in Arsenal’s upcoming fixture against Manchester City after the England Football Association overturned his controversial red card.
The 18-year-old midfielder was sent off during Arsenal’s English Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday, following a challenge on Matt Doherty in the 43rd minute.
Referee Michael Oliver’s decision to dismiss Lewis-Skelly was met with widespread criticism from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, his players, and a section of football analysts.
Arsenal swiftly lodged an appeal with the FA, arguing that the dismissal for serious foul play was unwarranted. An independent Regulatory Commission upheld the appeal and rescinded the three-match suspension.
In an official statement, the FA confirmed. It said, “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension.”
The decision was welcomed by Arsenal, ensuring Lewis-Skelly’s availability for their crucial encounter with Manchester City on Sunday.
The incident has reignited debates about the quality of refereeing in the League.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright called the decision “a joke,” criticising the inconsistency of officiating at the top level of English football.
He added, “This is the highest level of football, and we do not have the highest level of referees. The Premier League cannot claim to be the best in the world with such poor decisions.” Similarly, former England captain Alan Shearer described it as “one of the worst decisions I have seen in a long time.”
The controversy surrounding the red card escalated further after Michael Oliver and his family were subjected to vile abuse and death threats. A police investigation is currently underway, with officers protecting the referee’s home.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) condemned the attacks in a statement, describing them as “abhorrent” and reiterating their commitment to supporting Oliver and other officials facing similar threats.
Again, calls for improvements in officiating standards in the EPL have been amplified online, with many urging the league to explore additional measures to address inconsistency and protect referees.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
