Myles Lewis-Skelly has averted a three-match ban after Arsenal efficiently appealed in opposition to his purple card in Saturday’s win at Wolves.
The 18-year-old was controversially proven a straight purple card by referee Michael Oliver within the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory for taking down Matt Doherty in his personal half.
Lewis-Skelly turned the third youngest participant to be dismissed in Premier League historical past, however the Gunners lodged an enchantment in a bid to get the purple card overturned and the FA’s choice means the versatile full-back is not going to be suspended.
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta was left “absolutely fuming” by the choice, which was closely criticised by followers and pundits.
Arteta has already responded to the information at his press convention forward of the Gunners’ Champions League sport in opposition to Girona, saying: “Obviously, I’m very happy that a decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play again.”
Lewis-Skelly’s purple card has been overturned that means {the teenager} is on the market for Arsenal’s dwelling sport in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities, in addition to the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Newcastle on February 5, stay on Sky Sports activities, and the Premier League journey to Leicester on February 15.
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An FA spokesperson assertion stated: “An unbiased regulatory fee has upheld a declare of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and eliminated his three-match suspension.
“The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”
The FA’s overturn comes regardless of the Skilled Recreation Match Officers Restricted’s (PGMOL), the physique in command of English refereeing, judging that the problem was extraordinarily late, the purpose of contact was excessive and video proof supported that conclusion.
Arsenal went on to win the match at Wolves, who had been additionally diminished to 10 males within the second half, due to Riccardo Calafiori’s second-half effort, which stored the stress on title rivals Liverpool.
Lewis-Skelly skilled along with his Arsenal team-mates on the membership’s London Colney base on Tuesday previous to their last Champions League group fixture in opposition to Girona, with team-mate Riccardo Calafiori having his say on the participant’s suspension being overturned, telling the media: “We are all happy [for him] – we knew it was a mistake.”
Arsenal are third within the 36-team desk and are properly positioned to progress to the final 16 routinely.
Oliver receives on-line abuse after Lewis-Skelly purple card
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Jamie O’Hara and Jay Bothroydon weigh in on the controversy round Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial purple card in opposition to Wolves
The response to Oliver’s choice turned so extreme on social media that the PGMOL issued a uncommon public assertion on Sunday calling out the web abuse which had already prompted a police investigation.
“We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal fixture,” they wrote.
“No official ought to be topic to any type of abuse, not to mention the abhorrent assaults aimed toward Michael and his household over the previous 24 hours.
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The Ref Watch panel talk about the abuse that Michael Oliver has obtained following his choice to ship off Lewis-Skelly
“The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.
“Sadly, this isn’t the primary time a match official has been compelled to take care of threats in current instances. We are going to proceed to assist all investigations.”
Individually from the profitable enchantment, Sky Sports activities Information understands Arsenal will proceed to assist the PGMOL and Oliver over the abuse he has obtained.
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Mikel Arteta says he’s ‘fuming’ on the choice to current Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight purple card for a foul on Matt Doherty in Arsenal’s win in opposition to Wolves
In confirming their investigation, the UK Soccer Policing Unit stated in a press release: “Enquiries are in the early stages and officers are working closely with social media providers, including Facebook and X, to identify those responsible for the messages.”
Pardew: Appropriate choice to overturn Lewis-Skelly purple card
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Check out all 4 of Arsenal’s purple playing cards within the Premier League this season
Ex-Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew advised Sky Sports activities Information:
“I think that’s the correct decision.
“Mikel Arteta after the sport made it fairly clear that they had been going to enchantment and the sort out was innocuous to me.
“It was just a trip and I think the referee got it completely wrong, so I think that was justice.”
Sky Sports activities Information chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“I think it just proves that the systems we’ve already got in place work. If you feel that you’ve been hard done by, there is a process by which you can appeal and it’s heard very, very quickly and the right decision has been reached.
“Arsenal ended up successful the sport and Wolves had a participant despatched off as properly, so the whole lot has labored out.
“But we’ve still got to talk about everything that’s been happening around referees and the abuse and the situation we’ve got to where the police are guarding the home of one of our most high-profile referees – is that what we really want football to become in this day and age?”
