Premier League release official 45-word statement after Sunderland hit with three-game suspension blow
Sunderland were back in Premier League action as they faced Man City on Saturday
Luke O’Nien will miss three Premier League matches after being shown a red card in the closing stages of Sunderland’s defeat to Manchester City.
O’Nien arrived late to a challenge on Matheus Nunes only moments after being introduced as a second-half substitute, and though a yellow card was initially shown, the decision was reversed after a VAR review. The Premier League match centre have released a statement explaining the decision, saying that O’Nien had endangered an opponent.
He’ll now miss the game against Newcastle United next weekend, as well as the trip to face Brighton and the clash with Leeds United just after Christmas. It’s a blow to Régis Le Bris as he will lose Reinildo and Arthur Masuaku to AFCON after next weekend’s game.
The Premier League match centre tweeted: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of yellow card to O'Nien and issued a red card for serious foul play. Referee announcement: “After review, Sunderland No.13 commits a challenge which endangers the safety of the opponent. My final decision is red card.”
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Sunderland get boost for Newcastle United clash despite Luke O’Nien red
The positive for Sunderland was that both Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki avoided suspension for next weekend’s clash after getting through the game without picking up another yellow card. Le Bris brought both off both after Phil Foden made it 3-0 in the second half.
Sunderland are also confident that Reinildo will be fit for the game, despite him picking up a groin injury that meant he missed this loss.
A club statement posted on social media before the game said: “Reinildo misses today’s game due to a minor groin injury, but is expected be available next weekend.”
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