Nottingham Forest defender Felipe escaped punishment after appearing to grab Bruno Fernandes by the throat during his side's feisty FA Cup clash with Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
The altercation took place towards the tail end of stoppage time, and after Casemiro's last-gasp winner in the 89th minute which booked the travelers a spot in the quarter-finals - where they will meet Premier League rivals Liverpool in a tricky test.
Footage of the incident shows the pair squaring up to one another before Felipe reaches for the United's throat, pushing him backward towards the corner flag before Fernandes can knock his hand away.
That Felipe went unpunished for the scrap has stung Man United fans on social media, who immediately recalled Casemiro receiving a red card and a three-match ban for wrapping his hands around the neck of Crystal Palace's Will Hughes last season.
In that instance, VAR intervened and referee Andre Marriner doled out the booking after reviewing the fracas on the pitchside monitor, but despite the technology being in effect at the City Ground, Felipe was able to stay in the game.
Taking to social media, supporters vented their fury at the apparent inconsistency in officiating, with many feeling the Brazilian defender should have walked.
'How is that Filipe's throat grab on Bruno Fernandes any different from the one Casemiro was sent off for against Crystal Palace last season?' one fan asked.
'Officiating is a shambles.'
Another added: 'Casemiro got a red for a lot less than that neck grab on Fernandes.'
A third wondered: 'So Felipe can grab Fernandes by the throat and not get anything for it? (laugh-cry emoji)'.
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) hit out that the 'biased' refereeing, sharing: '(Alarm emoji) (speaking emoji) There was no card given to Nottingham Forest's Felipe after this incident involving Bruno Fernandes.
'VAR is biased! Casemiro was sent off for this same offense. We haven't forgotten and we won't forget. VAR is a joke (icy emoji)'.
A second supporter agreed, adding: '@FA_PGMOL please explain how this isn't a red card? How is it possible for this to go to VAR and then not even recommend an on-field review? It's ridiculous.
'Just another example of the shocking level of refereeing that we have come to expect'.
The Man United skipper was under particular pressure from his opposite numbers on Wednesday evening, with manager Erik ten Hag praising Fernandes after the final whistle for playing through the pain barrier.
‘You saw that Forest was targeting him,’ the Dutch manager said at full-time. 'There were many fouls on him. You see when he's getting the ball, they are tight on him.
‘I don't say what it is, but it was a serious injury. I see social media criticize him. It is pathetic. He has a serious injury, but he continued to play on Saturday (against Fulham), and then also he fought to be part of this game.
The altercation took place towards the tail end of stoppage time, and after Casemiro's last-gasp winner in the 89th minute which booked the travelers a spot in the quarter-finals - where they will meet Premier League rivals Liverpool in a tricky test.
Footage of the incident shows the pair squaring up to one another before Felipe reaches for the United's throat, pushing him backward towards the corner flag before Fernandes can knock his hand away.
That Felipe went unpunished for the scrap has stung Man United fans on social media, who immediately recalled Casemiro receiving a red card and a three-match ban for wrapping his hands around the neck of Crystal Palace's Will Hughes last season.
In that instance, VAR intervened and referee Andre Marriner doled out the booking after reviewing the fracas on the pitchside monitor, but despite the technology being in effect at the City Ground, Felipe was able to stay in the game.
Taking to social media, supporters vented their fury at the apparent inconsistency in officiating, with many feeling the Brazilian defender should have walked.
'How is that Filipe's throat grab on Bruno Fernandes any different from the one Casemiro was sent off for against Crystal Palace last season?' one fan asked.
'Officiating is a shambles.'
Another added: 'Casemiro got a red for a lot less than that neck grab on Fernandes.'
A third wondered: 'So Felipe can grab Fernandes by the throat and not get anything for it? (laugh-cry emoji)'.
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) hit out that the 'biased' refereeing, sharing: '(Alarm emoji) (speaking emoji) There was no card given to Nottingham Forest's Felipe after this incident involving Bruno Fernandes.
'VAR is biased! Casemiro was sent off for this same offense. We haven't forgotten and we won't forget. VAR is a joke (icy emoji)'.
A second supporter agreed, adding: '@FA_PGMOL please explain how this isn't a red card? How is it possible for this to go to VAR and then not even recommend an on-field review? It's ridiculous.
'Just another example of the shocking level of refereeing that we have come to expect'.
The Man United skipper was under particular pressure from his opposite numbers on Wednesday evening, with manager Erik ten Hag praising Fernandes after the final whistle for playing through the pain barrier.
‘You saw that Forest was targeting him,’ the Dutch manager said at full-time. 'There were many fouls on him. You see when he's getting the ball, they are tight on him.
‘I don't say what it is, but it was a serious injury. I see social media criticize him. It is pathetic. He has a serious injury, but he continued to play on Saturday (against Fulham), and then also he fought to be part of this game.
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