Ruling released for Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card decision

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers has been overturned after an FA review. But why was the decision reversed?

The FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission overturned Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card after ruling that the dismissal was a clear and obvious error and that the challenge did not constitute serious foul play under Law 12 of the game.

Arsenal’s case

Arsenal argued that Lewis-Skelly’s challenge against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 January 2025 was not only wrongfully deemed serious foul play but also that the automatic three-match suspension was clearly excessive.

To support their claim, the club submitted four key video clips, including:

• The original incident itself.
• Three comparative challenges in recent matches where red cards were issued but later overturned.

• Exhibit 1 showed the incident very clearly from numerous angles and distances in both slow motion and real time.
• Exhibit 3 showed a challenge made by João Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the same match, for which he was given a second yellow card.
• Exhibit 4 showed a challenge made by Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United for which he was dismissed for serious foul play. The dismissal was later overturned following a wrongful dismissal claim brought by Manchester United.
• Exhibit 5 showed a challenge made by Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool for which he was dismissed for serious foul play. The dismissal was later overturned following a wrongful dismissal claim brought by Liverpool.

We can assume that Arsenal’s legal team contended that while Lewis-Skelly stepped across his opponent, the action did not involve excessive force, endanger the safety of the opponent, or meet the criteria for serious foul play.

The club further would have emphasised that the player’s movement was not a lunge, not two-footed, and lacked the necessary speed and force to be deemed a dangerous tackle.

FA Commission’s decision

The Independent Regulatory Commission reviewed the video evidence and Arsenal’s written arguments and determined that:

1. Lewis-Skelly’s movement was more of a trip than a reckless challenge.
2. No excessive force or brutality was involved in the incident.
3. The challenge did not put the opponent in serious danger.
4. The three-match suspension was deemed disproportionate.

The panel unanimously agreed that the red card should be rescinded, allowing Lewis-Skelly to be available for Arsenal’s next three matches.

Final Ruling & Implications

As per Fast Track 4 Regulations, the FA confirmed that there is no further right of appeal, meaning the decision is final.

You can view the panel’s written reasons in full here.

Arsenal hit with misconduct charge

In a statement released this afternoon, the FA said: “Arsenal FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on Saturday, 25 January.

“The club failed to ensure that its players did not behave in an improper manner around the 43rd minute. Arsenal FC has until Monday, 3 February, to provide a response.”

This was, of course, a reaction in response to the Lewis-Skelly red card.

You really couldn’t make this stuff up.