Why Manuel Ugarte wasn't sent off against England: Bizarre double yellow card for Uruguay's Man United star explained

A much-changed England side played out a 1-1 draw against Uruguay on Friday, in a match that became increasingly fractious after halftime.

Ben White scored a maiden international goal on his first England appearance since 2022 but the Arsenal defender was adjudged to have fouled Federico Vina in the box following a pitchside review. 

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde drilled home from the penalty spot to ensure the game ended honours even, but the sense was that Uruguay were very fortunate to have a full complement of players on the field by full-time.

This is before we even account for Ronaldo Araujo's x-rated challenge on Phil Foden that forced the Manchester City midfielder to hobble off shortly afterwards.

Twice during the final 20 minutes, Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte appeared to be shown yellow cards by referee Sven Jablonski but remained on the field.

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Why wasn't Manuel Ugarte sent off against England?

In the 70th minute, Ugarte fouled England substitute Cole Palmer with an untidy late challenge. Jablonski approached the incident on the right wing and brandished a yellow card.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a glorious chance from Palmer's delivery, but the Chelsea player's next set-piece led to the opening goal.

Palmer appeared to scuff his 81st-minute corner but it squirmed through to White at the far post via a touch off Harvey Barnes. Uruguay were convinced England midfielder Adam Wharton committed a foul in the near-post melee and Ugarte continued the protests, at which point Jablonski clearly brandished another yellow card.

Ugarte remained on the field before being replaced by Emiliano Martinez in the 87th minute.

During ITV's broadcast of the match in the UK, commentators Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon said they had heard communication from the fourth official that stated Ugarte's second yellow card had been rescinded. VAR was in operation at Wembley, but this new power is only set to come into force at the World Cup. Additionally, the video officials reversing a yellow card is something expected to apply to incorrectly awarded fouls. For a matter of dissent, the on-field official is in a far better position to adjudicate.

Later in ITV's broadcast, it was claimed that the first yellow card presumed to be shown to Ugarte for his challenge on Palmer was actually given to Jose Maria Gimenez for protesting against the award of the foul.