The Football Association have revealed their written reasons for overturning Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card after Arsenal’s win over Wolves.
It comes following controversy over the key decision made by Michael Oliver in the first half of the match at Molineux.
Lewis-Skelly was sent off for serious foul play when he seemingly clipped the legs of an onrushing Wolves attacker in a counter-attacking situation.
Arsenal fans were furious with the red card, which was levelled out later in the game when Joao Gomes was given his marching orders.
While the Gunners picked up an important three points in the end, the ramifications of the decision continued to rumble on.
Fortunately, Arsenal saw the red card for Lewis-Skelly overturned, coming as a huge boost following all of the noise.
Since then, the appeal process has been published by the FA, with reasons for the decision.
- READ MORE: What Mikel Arteta has already said about Ollie Watkins is now very interesting after £60m bid
Why the FA overturned Myles Lewis-Skelly red card for Arsenal
The appeals process is one that has to be done swiftly, with Arsenal given two working days to lodge their grievance.
After that point, it was sent to an independent commission full of ex-professionals, be it from a referee, managerial or player background.
They are then tasked with deciding if the decision should be upheld or not, which, in this case, it wasn’t.
Since then, the FA have released their written reasons, stating: “The Commission members were unanimous in their opinion that the referee had made an obvious error in sending off Myles Lewis-Skelly for the challenge that he had made.
“The challenge was certainly ‘Foul Play’ but it obviously could not, to the mind of the Commission, be categorised as having been ‘Serious Foul Play’.
“Myles Lewis-Skelly had stepped across his opponent and tripped him up, possibly deliberately, but in doing so he had obviously not endangered the safety of his opponent or used excessive force or brutality, nor had he ‘lunged’ in at his opponent.
“The club’s claim for Wrongful Dismissal was therefore deemed to have been successful and the standard punishment was withdrawn.”
It should finally put a rest to this saga, with Arsenal now able to select Lewis-Skelly for their coming matches.
- READ MORE: Arsenal given fresh injury update for David Raya as chances of Manchester City return revealed
Myles Lewis-Skelly return is key for the Carabao Cup
While Lewis-Skelly’s ban being rescinded is a boost for all of the competitions Arsenal are involved in, it is perhaps most important that he is available to face off against Newcastle.
A second-leg semi-final clash at St. James’ Park in the Carabao Cup awaits in the coming week, with the Gunners looking to secure a stunning comeback for a place in the final of the competition.
It will take all of the grit, determination and quality the side have to get through it and having Lewis-Skelly available is a particular boost.
The youngster has shown that the big moments don’t make him buckle under pressure, making him thrive instead.
He could be in with a chance of helping Arsenal create history if they can overturn a two-goal deficit against the Magpies.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
