Evanilson is available for Bournemouth’s Premier League game at Arsenal on Saturday after having a three-match ban overturned for his red card against Manchester United.
The Brazilian striker was dismissed in the 70th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw after a challenge on Noussair Mazraoui, following a recommendation by the video assistant referee, John Brooks, for Peter Bankes to review the initial yellow card. Evanilson’s suspension was removed after a successful claim of wrongful dismissal by Bournemouth.
Bournemouth’s club-record signing had been set to miss a home game against Aston Villa and a trip to Manchester City as well as the Arsenal game.
“An independent regulatory commission has removed Evanilson’s three-match ban following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal,” read a statement from the Football Association. “The AFC Bournemouth forward was sent off during the Premier League fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, 27 April, for serious foul play.”
Evanilson, who cost an initial £31.7m from Porto last summer, was originally shown a yellow card by Bankes for his foul on Mazraoui. But, following intervention from Brooks, the punishment was upgraded to red after Bankes watched replays of the incident on a pitch-side monitor.
The Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, and captain, Adam Smith, were both booked for protesting, while home supporters vented their displeasure. Iraola then criticised the decision at his post-match press conference, saying Evanilson had slipped into the challenge while asking to be able to review the VAR process.
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The dismissal proved costly for Bournemouth as United striker Rasmus Højlund equalised in the sixth minute of added time, cancelling out Antoine Semenyo’s first-half goal, which was assisted by Evanilson.
With four games to go, the result left the south coast club 10th in the table – a point adrift of both Fulham and Brighton as they chase European qualification.
“I’m frustrated, for us it’s two points that are massive, big consequences,” said Iraola. “Now the repercussions are bigger because you don’t have time to recover these points and it’s two points that for us are very costly.”