Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly has suspension rescinded as Mikel Arteta condemns abuse of referees
Arsenal have successfully appealed against Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sending off against Wolves. The youngster was controversially shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver during the first half at Molineux. Lewis-Skelly’s red card has been rescinded by the FAGetty Lewis-Skelly was punished for a challenge on Matt Doherty after catching the full-back on his ankle as the Wolves full-back attempted to launch a counter-attack. The controversial decision was not overturned by VAR but has now been rescinded by the FA. In a statement, the FA confirmed: “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension. “The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.” As a result, Lewis-Skelly is now cleared to feature in Arsenal’s next Premier League match at home to Manchester City on Sunday. The 18-year-old had been set to serve a three-match ban as a result of the dismissal. The suspension would have seen Lewis-Skelly miss the upcoming league matches against City and Leicester. He would have also been unavailable for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final second leg trip to Newcastle. It had been the first red card of Lewis-Skelly’s career, with the academy graduate having so far only received three yellow cards in 17 senior appearances. Despite the red card, Mikel Arteta’s side went on to beat Wolves 1-0 thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s second half strike. Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off against Wolves on SaturdayAFP Referee Oliver was the subject of attacks made online, including death threats against his family, following the incident. It led to what the referees’ body, Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), described as ‘abhorrent abuse’ directed against Oliver, who is widely considered to be one of the world’s best referees. After the game, Arteta said he was ‘absolutely fuming’ though he did not reference Oliver directly. Now, the Arsenal boss has said football must ‘kick out’ the abuse suffered by referees. “Every time I talk about this topic, regardless of whether it’s about a player, a coach or a referee it doesn’t matter,” said Arteta ahead of his team’s Champions League game away to Girona tonight. “We really have to work harder to eradicate this part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, leaves a bad taste and makes people’s lives more difficult. Let’s get it out, let’s kick it out. “It’s for everyone in football, it should not be permitted. We don’t want it, we don’t need it and certainly damages our sport. Let’s get it out.” Oliver is to take charge of Ipswich’s Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday, whilst he has also been appointed for the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park next Wednesday. Arteta was also asked how he believed online abuse can be eradicated from football, adding: “First of all, it’s about spending more time making the right decisions, with the right people to get it out. “We have put in laws, measures and regulations for that kind of thing but we haven’t done it (on social media) and they’re all talking about it but no one seems to be moving strongly enough and bringing people within to get that out of the game, because it’s just unacceptable.”
Arsenal have successfully appealed against Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sending off against Wolves.
The youngster was controversially shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver during the first half at Molineux.
Lewis-Skelly was punished for a challenge on Matt Doherty after catching the full-back on his ankle as the Wolves full-back attempted to launch a counter-attack.
The controversial decision was not overturned by VAR but has now been rescinded by the FA.
In a statement, the FA confirmed: “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension.
“The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”
As a result, Lewis-Skelly is now cleared to feature in Arsenal’s next Premier League match at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
The 18-year-old had been set to serve a three-match ban as a result of the dismissal.
The suspension would have seen Lewis-Skelly miss the upcoming league matches against City and Leicester.
He would have also been unavailable for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final second leg trip to Newcastle.
It had been the first red card of Lewis-Skelly’s career, with the academy graduate having so far only received three yellow cards in 17 senior appearances.
Despite the red card, Mikel Arteta’s side went on to beat Wolves 1-0 thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s second half strike.
Referee Oliver was the subject of attacks made online, including death threats against his family, following the incident.
It led to what the referees’ body, Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), described as ‘abhorrent abuse’ directed against Oliver, who is widely considered to be one of the world’s best referees.
After the game, Arteta said he was ‘absolutely fuming’ though he did not reference Oliver directly.
Now, the Arsenal boss has said football must ‘kick out’ the abuse suffered by referees.
“Every time I talk about this topic, regardless of whether it’s about a player, a coach or a referee it doesn’t matter,” said Arteta ahead of his team’s Champions League game away to Girona tonight.
“We really have to work harder to eradicate this part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, leaves a bad taste and makes people’s lives more difficult. Let’s get it out, let’s kick it out.
“It’s for everyone in football, it should not be permitted. We don’t want it, we don’t need it and certainly damages our sport. Let’s get it out.”
Oliver is to take charge of Ipswich’s Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday, whilst he has also been appointed for the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park next Wednesday.
Arteta was also asked how he believed online abuse can be eradicated from football, adding: “First of all, it’s about spending more time making the right decisions, with the right people to get it out.
“We have put in laws, measures and regulations for that kind of thing but we haven’t done it (on social media) and they’re all talking about it but no one seems to be moving strongly enough and bringing people within to get that out of the game, because it’s just unacceptable.”
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