By Izidoro Twinamasiko
SPORTS
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly’s three-match ban, imposed following a red card in their 1-0 win against Wolves on Saturday, has been overturned. The decision comes after Arsenal appealed the dismissal, and an independent regulatory commission upheld their claim of wrongful dismissal, the Football Association (FA) confirmed.
Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver for a foul on Matt Doherty in the 43rd minute, which was deemed serious foul play. Doherty was mounting a counter-attack just outside the Wolves box at the time of the challenge. VAR official Darren England initially upheld the on-field decision.
Wolves were later reduced to 10 men after Joao Gomes received a second yellow card in the 70th minute. Four minutes later, Riccardo Calafiori’s goal secured a 1-0 victory for Arsenal.
Following the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticized the decision, calling it “so obvious” and stating, “I don’t think my words are going to help.” After the commission overturned the red card, Arteta expressed his relief: “[I’m] obviously really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us.”
Police have since been investigating “threats and abuse” directed at referee Oliver, said referees’ body PGMOL.
