Fabián Balbuena red card rescinded on appeal

Fabian Balbuena in action against Chelsea


West Ham United can confirm that Fabián Balbuena’s red card in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea has been overturned on appeal. 

The defender will now be eligible for the Hammers’ trip to Burnley on Bank Holiday Monday, 3 May. 

On Saturday, Balbuena was sent-off with nine minutes of the match remaining, after making contact with the Blues’ Ben Chilwell in his follow-through from a clearance.  

Referee Chris Kavanagh was asked to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Peter Bankes and decreed that the No4’s actions constituted serious foul play. 

The appeal against Balbuena’s red card was reviewed by an independent regulatory commission on Tuesday at the Football Association and, following this process, the defender’s suspension has been rescinded and lifted with immediate effect. 
 

Image removed.