A Manchester United legend has strongly criticized FIFA and the Football Association (FA), accusing them of double standards after United defender Patrick Dorgu received a three-match suspension. The former player believes the punishment is overly severe and highlights a biased disciplinary system.
“A Tough Challenge, But Not Worthy of Such a Ban”
The controversy arose during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. In the first half, Dorgu’s miscommunication with goalkeeper Andre Onana contributed to an early goal for Ipswich. Later, he was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a strong tackle on Omari Hutchinson. Initially, referee Darren England did not penalize the challenge, but after reviewing the footage, he deemed it serious foul play.
Speaking to the media, the United legend voiced his frustration:
“Yes, it was a strong tackle, but does it really warrant such a harsh punishment? Absolutely not! This just proves the FA’s bias. We’ve seen worse incidents go unpunished—so why him? Football should be about fairness, not an agenda-driven system.”
Concerns Over Inconsistent Disciplinary Decisions
The former player’s main argument is the inconsistency in how football’s governing bodies enforce disciplinary measures. He highlighted cases where similar or even worse challenges received little to no punishment.
“It’s frustrating to see such inconsistency,” he continued. “One player gets a three-match ban for a tackle, while another escapes with just a warning for something just as bad or worse. Where’s the fairness?”
This reflects a wider frustration in the football community over inconsistent refereeing and disciplinary decisions. Managers, players, fans, and pundits frequently express concerns about the lack of uniformity in officiating.
Impact on Manchester United
Dorgu’s suspension comes at a crucial time for United. The 20-year-old Danish defender, who arrived from Lecce in January, will miss key games, including the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Fulham and Premier League matches against Arsenal and Leicester City.
Manager Rúben Amorim acknowledged the challenge was aggressive but insisted there was no malicious intent. The suspension weakens United’s defensive options and reignites debates over the fairness of disciplinary rulings in football.
