Lisandro Martinez faces a three-match ban after receiving a red card for violent behavior in Manchester United’s game against Leeds United. The Argentina centre-back was found to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair after winning an aerial ball. Commenting on the incident at the time, Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville said: “You can’t just pull hair and get away with it. Martinez looks embarrassed and confused, but these days hair pulling gets you a red card. He knew what he was doing.”
After the Flashpoints were initially not penalized, referee Paul Tierney was instructed to check the pitchside VAR monitor for further inspection. Premier League Match Center confirmed, “As a result of the VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martinez for violent behavior.” Referee Tierney said in an announcement to the crowd: “As a result of the review, Manchester United No. 6 was found guilty of violent behavior by pulling his hair.The final decision was a red card.”
The act was classified as violent conduct and the Argentine will miss United’s three upcoming games against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.
This isn’t the first time a Premier League player has been given his marching orders for hair-pulling. Everton’s Michael Keane was sacked during a 1-1 draw with Wolves in January. These three games are crucial in the Reds’ bid to qualify for the Champions League, with many of their rivals in hot pursuit.
With the defeat, United are level with fourth-placed Aston Villa on 55 points, while fifth-placed Liverpool are now on 52 points with their victory over Fulham. United face Liverpool at Old Trafford next month, but will next face Chelsea.
Once the three-game series ends, Martinez will be available again for games against Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, ahead of the final day’s clash at Brighton.
