Harry Maguire’s suspension has been extended following his red card against Bournemouth, with the FA releasing written reasons for his decision to suspend him.
Maguire was sent off against Bournemouth last month (Image: Getty Images)
Harry Maguire’s suspension has been extended after he appeared to criticize officials during the game against Bournemouth as a “cheating joke”, the FA said.
The defender was sent off in the game against the Cherries before the international break and received a one-match ban. However, his abusive behavior after being sent off led to his suspension being extended for an additional game.
In its written reasons, the FA said Maguire’s apparent anger was the main reason.
“In the 78th minute, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire was sent off for denying a clear scoring opportunity. After the decision was confirmed by the video assistant referee, Maguire left the field,” referee Stuart Attwell wrote in his match report.
“As he was sent off, he approached fourth official Matthew Donoghue to protest the decision. These actions will be the subject of a separate report by Mr Donoghue and may require further review by the Football Association.”
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A further report from fourth official Matt Donoghue added: “In the 78th minute of the match, referee Stuart Attwell sent off Manchester United’s #5 Harry Maguire. After the VAR check was completed, Maguire, who was leaving the field, approached me and shouted, ‘You’re kidding. You’re kidding.'” The matter has been reported to the Football Association for further consideration. ”
Maguire denied the remark and insisted the decision to award Bournemouth a penalty was a “joke”. He added: “As I was leaving the field after being sent off, I said something like, ‘You’re just kidding.’ I am sure that I did not say anything to the fourth official or the match official as a joke, a joke or any other kind of insult.”
Asked for his recollection, Maguire’s United teammate Joshua Zirkzee said: “I don’t remember exactly what Harry said, but I do remember it being something along the lines of ‘You’re kidding’ and ‘What a joke’,” adding: “I’m sure Harry wasn’t kidding the fourth official or any other match official.”
Stuart Atwell gave his views on the incident in his report (Image: Getty Images)
United, as a club, submitted that “it is highly likely that the fourth official either did not hear Harry clearly or misheard his words.”
In response to this claim, Officer Donahue said, “Regarding the words recorded in my report. Regarding the first line, “I was just kidding,” those words may have been misheard or misremembered.”
“I believe Mr Maguire said, ‘It’s a joke,’ but I can’t answer this with any certainty. However, I distinctly remember hearing the second sentence, ‘You guys are totally kidding,’ and I remember thinking that the statement was directed collectively at a group of officials. I am prepared to say with confidence that these words were said.”
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The hearing ruled in favor of Donoghue’s evidence because Maguire had used the words “along” and Zirkzee could not clearly recall the words used.
With Maguire admitting the charges, the FA had the power to impose a two-match ban, but one match was deemed sufficient given mitigating factors such as his prompt hospitalization, apology and previous disciplinary history.
He was also fined £30,000 for the charge, which was reduced from the original maximum of £45,000.
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