Manchester City make decision on Rico Lewis red card appeal | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City appear to have set their stance on a potential appeal against Rico Lewis’ one-match ban at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The young full-back was handed a starting opportunity in Manchester City’s debut outing at the competition in the United States on Wednesday as the club secured themselves three points and a clean sheet on matchday one.

Goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku put City into a controlling position at the half-time interval, before a professional showing in the second-half made certain of the result, before a late moment of controversy saw Rico Lewis handed a straight red card.

A loose ball saw the Manchester City defender win possession cleanly and see out danger from his final third, only for a loose foot to strike the face of a Wydad AC attacker, and see referee Ramon Abatti brandish a red card for serious foul play supported by the view of VAR.

All those concerned at Manchester City were left perplexed by the decision and the likes of Pep Guardiola and Nico O’Reilly in particular were not afraid to show their frustration at the referee’s call during post-match media duties.

However, according to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, while Manchester City have the option to appeal the one-match ban issued to Rico Lewis at the FIFA Club World Cup, such action is understood to be ‘unlikely’.

Speaking to reporters after the contest, left-sided full-back Nico O’Reilly said of the incident, “Rico is fuming with the decision, none of us believe it was right.

“I think he slid in first, then their player slid second. He’s tried to move his leg out of the way and accidentally caught him. I think it was the wrong decision.”

Manager Pep Guardiola was also keen to vent his frustration whilst revealing what he was told by Brazilian official Ramon Abatti on the field of play after the full-time whistle.

The Manchester City coach told DAZN, “He got the ball, both feet on the grass. He [Ramon Abatti] said, ‘No, the feet and leg was high’, but it’s on the grass! It’s natural! Rico never had absolutely any intention, but it doesn’t matter, it is what it is.”

As such, Rico Lewis now appears set to miss Manchester City’s matchday two encounter at the FIFA Club World Cup with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates the opponents in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday night.