The Man Utd matches Martinez will miss after hair pull red card vs Leeds | Football | Sport

Lisandro Martinez faces a three-match ban following his red card for violent conduct during Manchester United‘s clash with Leeds United. The Argentine centre-back was found to have pulled Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair after contesting an aerial ball. Responding to the incident at the time, Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville said: “You are not getting away with a hair‐pull. Martinez is looking perplexed and confused, but a hair‐pull results in a red card these days. He knew what he was doing.”

After the flashpoint initially went unpenalised, referee Paul Tierney was directed to consult the pitch-side VAR monitor for a closer examination. The Premier League Match Centre confirmed: “After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martinez for violent conduct.” In his announcement to the crowd, referee Tierney said: “After review, Manchester United 6 is guilty of pulling his hair – violent conduct. Final decision is red card.”

The offence was classified as violent conduct, meaning the Argentine will be absent for United’s upcoming three fixtures against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.

This was not the first occasion a Premier League player has received his marching orders for hair-pulling. Everton’s Michael Keane was dismissed during the 1-1 draw with Wolves back in January. Those three fixtures are pivotal in the Reds’ pursuit of Champions League qualification, with a number of rivals snapping at their heels.

A loss for United leaves them level on 55 points with fourth‐placed Aston Villa, while fifth‐placed Liverpool sit on 52 following their victory over Fulham. United face Liverpool at Old Trafford next month but next up take on Chelsea.

Once their three-game run concludes, Martinez will be available once more for the clashes against Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, ahead of the final‐day encounter at Brighton.