What Punishment Does Harry Maguire Face After Bournemouth Charge?

Manchester United have big matches coming up in the race for Champions League qualification.

Harry Maguire was sent off in his last Man Utd appearance. | Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty Images

Harry Maguire is at risk of missing Manchester United’s crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford later this month after being hit with an FA charge alleging improper conduct.

Maguire was sent off towards the end of United’s recent 2–2 draw against Bournemouth, deemed to have denied Cherries striker Evanilson a goalscoring opportunity when conceding a controversial late penalty. Referee Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot and produced a red card.

Maguire and United were frustrated that the contact with Evanilson resulted in a penalty being awarded when Amad Diallo did not get one at the other end in similar circumstances.

The England defender protested the decision to Atwell and then appeared to direct his anger towards fourth official Matt Donohue. Almost two weeks later, the FA conveyed the charge over the allegation of Maguire acting in an “improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.”

Maguire has been given until Thursday, April 2 to respond and provide any mitigation.

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— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) April 1, 2026

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What Punishment Could Harry Maguire Face?

Maguire confronted the fourth official as he left the pitch. | Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images

As it stands, Maguire is already suspended for the upcoming visit of Leeds United to Old Trafford on April 13, with an automatic one-game ban the result of his Bournemouth red card.

What consequence from the additional charge there might be depends on what happens next.

There is no standard sanction for breaching the broad FA disciplinary rule covering improper conduct, with punishment determined on a case by case basis.

If Maguire accepts the charge and shows remorse for his behavior, the FA could act with leniency, potentially resulting in a lighter sanction. Alternatively, should he be able to provide evidence of mitigating factors, the charge could be dismissed. However, if Maguire contests the charge but it is still upheld based on the evidence available, any additional punishment could be more severe.

If Maguire is sanctioned, the best-case scenario would be a fine and/or a warning about his future conduct. The worst-case scenario would be additional games added to his existing suspension.

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Why Chelsea vs. Man Utd Matters

Maguire could miss United’s next meeting with Chelsea. | OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United are without Maguire against Leeds come what may, but an extended ban—if that was to be the case—would rule him out against Chelsea five days later. The Red Devils also face Brentford before the end of April, but adding on two more games feels unduly harsh.

The clash with Chelsea is so significant because it has the potential to all but secure United’s return to the Champions League next season. A top-five Premier League finish is likely to be enough because of a UEFA European Performance Spot heading England’s way, and the sixth-place Blues already trail United, third, by seven points. By the time they have played, that gap has the potential to be as big as 13 points—should Michael Carrick’s team win—with only 15 left to play for.

Before facing Bournemouth, Carrick was hopeful that Lisandro Martínez might be fit by the time his team plays Leeds. That would soften the blow of Maguire missing out, given that Leny Yoro, 20, and Ayden Heaven, 19, are the only other senior center backs definitely available.

There is also hope that Matthijs de Ligt is nearing a return to fitness after missing four months.

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