Manchester City News: Vincent Kompany's Suspension Overturned by the FA
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has seen his three-game suspension overturned by the Football Association following his red-card at the weekend.
The Belgian international was dismissed in the 75th minute against Arsenal in the English Premier League by referee Mike Dean for a tackle on Jack Wilshere.
However, replays suggested that the Citizens' captain had indeed got the ball entirely and not the Gunners' midfielder as the referee had first thought.
Kompany was facing a three-game suspension for his red card until an independent commission by the Football Association overturned the suspension, ruling that an "obvious error" had been made by the official in charge on the night.
"An Independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal regarding Manchester City's Vincent Kompany.
The defender was dismissed for serious foul play during his side's match against Arsenal on Sunday 13 January 2013.ย
As a result, Kompany's three-match suspension has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
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Both Kompany and City manager Roberto Mancini were quick to criticize the decision on the night.
Mancini was interviewed following the match by the BBC and told the media outlet that he had thought the "referee did make a big mistake."
Kompany, however, saved his thoughts for Twitter.
"First. Massive congrats to our team and the fans, greatย game! Also. No grudges against the referee, I understand the difficulty of his job.
About the tackle. If the ball is overrun by the opponent and a 50/50 challenge occurs, [a] collision is inevitable.
Ultimately I'm a defender: Appeal may work or not. I will never pull out of a challenge, as much as I will never intend to injury a player.
Finishing on a positive: It's about the team and our team looks strong at the moment. We need to maintain this level of performance.
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Kompany is completely correct in what he says about a collision being inevitable, and that he was not at fault in the tackle. He got the ball first and then there was contact, and the defender should have never been sent off in the first place.
Fortunately the FA got the call right in the end and overturned the suspension, which would have been a big deal for City otherwise.ย For despite his comments at the end there about the team looking strong, City were desperate for their captain to return to the starting side as soon as possible.
Not just in terms of his leadership skills and proven experience on the field, but in terms of their defense, where things were starting to look a little thin had Kompany been suspended for three games.
City are already without Kolo Toure and Micah Richards due to international duties and injury respectively, which would have leftย Joleon Lescott and Matija Nastasic as their only real options in central defense for the next few games.
Fortunately, however, Kompany was not suspended and can take his spot at the back as per usual this weekend for the defending champions.
The correct decision was made by the FA to overrule the suspension and, thankfully for City, the red card didn't affect the final result at all.
Kompany will resume for City this weekend when his side take on Fulham in the English Premier League.
Were the FA right to overturn Vincent Kompany's suspension?
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