Erik ten Hag fumes at Casemiro red card: ‘Several players crossed the line’

02/04/2023

“We played a good game,” the Dutchman said. “I think we played a brilliant game.

“It was a really high level first 70 minutes until the incident takes place and then you see this team stands for each other.

“It’s such a good spirit for the team and they don’t accept when a player from us can be badly injured. That is the way Antony got treated.

“This team sticks together, but of course you have to control your emotions, but it’s really difficult in such a moment.

“Then I see two teams fighting each other, I see two teams where players, several players, are crossing the line and then one player is picked out and sent off. For me, that’s not right.”

Ten Hag said Schlupp took a “big risk” by shoving Antony off the pitch, saying he could have been “badly injured”.

I see two teams where players, several players, are crossing the line and then one player is picked out and sent off. For me, that’s not right

The United boss said Jordan Ayew should have “definitely” been sent off for his actions in the fight that followed, with the recent lack of VAR consistency infuriating him.

“You bring it up, but that was one of the players who did even worse, I would say, than Casemiro,” Ten Hag said of Ayew. “With Casemiro, you freeze the moment and he’s crossing the line there, but I do definitely.

“You have to be consistent as a VAR. Last week we missed Christian Eriksen (who is out for three months) by a bad foul. No interference from VAR.

“In Crystal Palace (last month), (Jean-Phillipe) Mateta is elbowing (Lisandro) Martinez, he is running for two weeks with a mark on his eyebrow and (VAR’s) not interfering. I see this is not right.”

Ten Hag says United have to think about whether they appeal against Casemiro’s sending-off – a straight red that means his next domestic match will be the Carabao Cup final on February 26.

Crystal Palace counterpart Patrick Vieira was less forthcoming about his thoughts on the officiating.

The France great stormed straight over to referee Marriner at full-time, but, asked what he said to the officials, he replied: “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Vieira said he was too far away to have a clear view on the incident that ended with Casemiro’s sending-off on an afternoon when Palace threatened to snatch another late draw against United.

“I think we showed character,” the Palace boss said. “Disappointed with the start, our first half.

Erik ten Hag fumes at Casemiro red card: ‘Several players crossed the line’

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