Premier League release controversial Chelsea statement after Man United red card decision

The Premier League have released a statement after Lisandro Martinez avoided a late red card for a rash tackle on Cole Palmer during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Martinez was handed a yellow card by referee Rob Jones in the 93rd minute after he appeared to catch Palmer late and high on his left knee. The United defender lunged with his studs in the air and made contact with Palmer as he attempted to dribble past him.

There was some frustration from the Chelsea fans and players that Martinez did not get sent off for that challenge and the Premier League have now released a statement on the incident.

A statement read: "The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Palmer. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming that it was a reckless challenge."

Gary Neville, meanwhile, thought Martinez was "lucky" not to get handed a red card. "As a professional I think that one where you leave your studs, you know you’re not getting the ball and you go in knee-high, to be fair you’re asking for a red card," Neville said while on co-commentary for Sky Sports.

He added: "I think he’s lucky. I think when you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, with studs, I’m not quite sure what sort of interpretation it is but I think that is a red."

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Former Premier League referee Mike Dean added: "He's come down, he’s just caught the end of his knee with his studs. There’s not a lot of force in it, it’s more of a glancing blow down across his knee rather than endangering the safety of an opponent."

As for the game itself, Chelsea picked up a point at Old Trafford as Moises Caicedo's fine volley cancelled out Bruno Fernandes' opener. The Blues sit fourth in the Premier League table on 18 points from their 10 matches, one behind Nottingham Forest in third and five adrift of second-placed Manchester City.

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