It is one rule for Casemiro, and another rule for the rest of the Premier League.
Manchester United star Casemiro has missed a staggering eight Premier League games this season through suspension.
The first came after he collected five bookings. Fair enough. Then came the VAR assisted red card against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford when he was singled out after a melee.
This three-game ban meant his second straight red for a tackle against Southampton was upgraded to a four-match ban.
Casemiro’s miscarriage of justice
Part of the issue with Casemiro’s sending offs are the inconsistency from Premier League referees and VAR. It would be tolerable if other players at other clubs were picking up red cards for similar incidents. But they are not.
Casemiro’s tackle against Southampton was one you see replicated on a weekly basis. Often it ends in a yellow card, or not even a punishment at all.
His red against Palace continues to look harsh. He was holding onto Will Hughes’ shirt – as seen in the picture below, and did not have his hands around his neck.
So what exactly is the difference between the above, and Jack Grealish’s aggressive behaviour towards Thomas Partey during Manchester City’s win over Arsenal last night.
Grealish held Partey by his shirt around his neck, and went unpunished by the referee and VAR. No doubt if this were Casemiro, it would be another sending off.
All we ask for is consistency and competence. Casemiro will be puzzled at the state of officiating in England, and we can’t blame him.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
