Harry Maguire fined and suspended for misconduct after red card
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been fined £30,000 and handed an additional one-match suspension by the Football Association for misconduct following his red card against Bournemouth last month. The FA confirmed the sanctions on Wednesday, stating the player admitted to a charge of improper and/or abusive and/or insulting language and/or behaviour towards a match official after his dismissal.
The incident occurred during United's 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth on March 20, when Maguire, 33, was sent off for a foul on Cherries forward Dominic Solanke. Beyond the foul itself, the governing body's charge related to the England international's conduct towards the fourth official in the immediate aftermath of the red card.
Maguire will now miss Manchester United's upcoming Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Saturday, having already served an automatic one-match ban in Monday's defeat to Leeds United. The additional suspension is a direct result of the post-dismissal misconduct charge, which the FA stated Maguire admitted to in writing. The independent Regulatory Commission imposed the financial penalty alongside the extended ban.
This disciplinary setback adds to a challenging season for Maguire, who has fought to regain a consistent starting role under manager Erik ten Hag. The centre-back, who joined United from Leicester City in 2019 for a world-record fee for a defender, has made 22 appearances across all competitions this campaign, but his place in the first-choice lineup has been uncertain. His experience remains a valuable asset within the squad, particularly during an injury-hit period for the club's defence.
The suspension comes at an inconvenient time for Ten Hag, who is already navigating a defensive injury crisis. With Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw all currently sidelined, the absence of Maguire further depletes options at the back. It is likely that Raphael Varane will be partnered by either Willy Kambwala or Jonny Evans for the crucial match against Chelsea as United continue their push for European qualification.
For Maguire personally, the episode represents an avoidable disruption to his attempts to secure a more prominent role in the team's plans for the remainder of the season and beyond. His admission of guilt and the subsequent punishment will be seen as a mark against his disciplinary record, though he will be eligible to return for United's following match. The club has not yet issued a public comment on the FA's decision.
