Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will miss his team’s next three games after being sent off against Crystal Palace.
The 30-year-old received the running orders from Andre Marriner in the 70th minute after wrapping his hands around Will Hughes’ neck.
Marriner consulted VAR, who subsequently told Marriner to watch the incident on the pitch monitor.
It came after a fight involving both sets of players after Jeffrey Schlupp sent Antony to the publicity board.
When both sets of players collided, replays showed Casemiro putting both hands on Hughes.
It means Erik ten Hag will be without the former Real Madrid midfielder for United’s next three Premier League games.
Casemiro will miss next week’s double against Leeds United and then their home game against Leicester City.
It will be a big blow for Ten Hag, who has already lost Christian Eriksen until late April/early May to an ankle injury.
United brought in Marcel Sabitzer on deadline day due to Eriksen’s injury and the Austrian could now start against Leeds at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Sabitzer came off the bench against Palace after United were down to 10 men as they won 2-0.
United held on for all three points and Schlupp’s goal proved nothing more than a consolation goal in Palace’s 2-1 defeat.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford had already scored on either side of the half-time break.
Casemiro could return to United’s squad against Barcelona on February 16 in the Europa League round of 16.
His next domestic game will be against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium if he remains fit during his suspension.
Why was Casemiro expelled?
Casemiro was ousted for what officials deemed violent conduct toward Hughes.
Law 12 states: Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when they are not challenging for the ball, or against a teammate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made. In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with his hand or arm is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used is negligible.
GO DEEPER
In Casemiro, Manchester United have a holding midfielder who can finish off plays
(Photo: Getty Images)
