England's friendly against Uruguay at Wembley descended into officiating chaos on Friday night as Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte somehow avoided a red card despite appearing to receive two separate yellow cards during the 1-1 draw.
The 24-year-old was cautioned in the first half for a foul before being booked again in the 81st minute for dissent following Ben White's opener.
German referee Sven Jablonski, however, failed to produce the expected red card, allowing Ugarte to remain on the pitch until Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa substituted him in the 87th minute.
The incident left players, commentators and supporters utterly bewildered.
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ITV commentator Sam Matterface reported that the fourth official initially informed broadcasters the second yellow card had been rescinded, a ruling that left him questioning whether the laws of the game had somehow changed early.
Matterface told viewers: "The fourth official tells us, no yellow card now. Now, the fourth official says that yellow card doesn't exist now, because if it did he'd have to be sent off."
The explanation shifted again after the final whistle, with officials claiming the original booking was actually intended for Jose Maria Gimenez rather than Ugarte.
This meant the United midfielder remarkably finished the match with no cautions whatsoever on his disciplinary record.
England's friendly against Uruguay at Wembley descended into officiating chaos on Friday night
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Harry Maguire expressed his confusion when speaking to ITV after the match.
The defender said: "We've been told Ugarte was shown two yellow cards and the second one was rescinded, which is a new one on us.
"Now we've been told the first of those yellow cards for Ugarte was actually for Gimenez. So rather than two yellow cards, Ugarte got no yellow cards."
Former England striker Ian Wright was equally unimpressed with the officiating.
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Manuel Ugarte somehow avoided a red card despite appearing to receive two separate yellow cards during the 1-1 draw
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He said: "They are making it up as they go along, like we didn't see what we saw.
"The challenge on Palmer was Ugarte and then it looked like he got done for dissent as well."
The officiating controversies extended beyond the Ugarte incident.
White, making his first England appearance since withdrawing from the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, was adjudged to have fouled Federico Vinas in the box following a VAR review.
Manuel Ugarte remarkably finished the match with no cautions whatsoever on his disciplinary record
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Maguire branded the penalty decision "ridiculous" and "soft" in his post-match interview.
Fede Valverde converted from the spot to secure Uruguay's equaliser.
Jablonski's evening also saw him decline to dismiss Ronald Araujo for a studs-up challenge on Phil Foden.
The decision left England manager Thomas Tuchel furious on the touchline.
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