🏟️🔥BREAKING NEWS: CHAOS AT OLD TRAFFORD! Manchester United Fans Outraged as referee deny Carlos Baleba Red Card for Controversial Foul. Carlos Baleba’s controversial foul on Joshua Zirkzee has Manchester United fans outraged. Was it a clear red card? Some are calling it a ‘wrestling move,’ while others say he robbed Zirkzee of a clear scoring chance. And yet, Baleba stayed on the pitch!

Chaos at Old Trafford: Manchester United Fans Outraged as Carlos Baleba Escapes Red Card for Controversial Foul

In a heated Premier League clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United supporters were left fuming after Brighton & Hove Albion’s midfielder, Carlos Baleba, avoided a red card for a contentious foul on Joshua Zirkzee. The incident occurred in the 23rd minute when Baleba pulled Zirkzee to the ground as he was through on goal, leading to a penalty for United. Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to level the score at 1-1.

According to the Laws of the Game, a player should be shown a red card if they deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) through a deliberate foul, such as holding or pulling, without an attempt to play the ball. In this case, Baleba’s actions appeared to fit this criterion, yet he was only cautioned with a yellow card. This decision sparked outrage among Manchester United fans, who took to social media to express their disbelief. One supporter described the foul as a “wrestling move,” while another questioned, “What sport is Baleba trying to play here?”

The controversy intensified as the match progressed. Despite the temporary equalizer from Fernandes, Brighton regained control in the second half, with goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter sealing a 3-1 victory for the visitors. This result marked Manchester United’s third consecutive home defeat to Brighton and their sixth Premier League home loss of the season, leaving fans frustrated not only with the officiating but also with their team’s performance.

The incident has reignited debates over the consistency of refereeing decisions and the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Many United supporters feel that VAR has been unreliable, with one fan stating, “This just shows that VAR is against us always. How was this not given a red card? VAR is the biggest scam.” The lack of intervention from VAR in this situation has led to calls for a review of the system to ensure fair and consistent application of the rules.

In response to the uproar, refereeing bodies may need to provide clarification on such decisions to maintain transparency and trust in officiating standards. As the Premier League season progresses, incidents like this underscore the importance of clear communication and consistent application of the Laws of the Game to preserve the integrity of the sport.

For those who missed the incident, here is a clip of the controversial foul: