Shearer Questions Awoniyi Red Card After Coventry Rout

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has questioned the decision to send off Taiwo Awoniyi during Coventry City’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, arguing that the Nigerian striker may have been harshly punished for an accidental collision.

Awoniyi was shown a straight red card in the second half after his arm caught Brighton defender Maxim de Cuyper in the face while the two players competed for the ball.

However, Shearer believes the incident did not necessarily amount to violent conduct and questioned why VAR ultimately backed the most severe punishment.

‘I’ve watched it a few times and I’m still trying to understand what Awoniyi is supposed to have done differently. Two players are competing for the ball. He jumps, his arm comes up naturally and catches De Cuyper,’ Shearer said.

‘There’s contact. Nobody is denying that. But contact with somebody’s face cannot automatically mean violent conduct.’

The former England striker also pointed to the referee’s initial reaction, noting that the official did not immediately produce a red card before the incident was reviewed by VAR.

‘They have the benefit of different angles, slow motion, people watching it upstairs, plenty of time to decide whether Awoniyi has deliberately elbowed somebody,” Shearer said.

‘And after all that, somehow they come back with the most severe possible decision. That’s the bit I don’t understand.’

Shearer stressed that he would have supported the dismissal if Awoniyi had deliberately swung his elbow at De Cuyper, but argued that the circumstances of the challenge should be considered.

‘If Awoniyi looks at him and throws an elbow, send him off. Nobody complains. But if we’re sending strikers off every time their arm catches somebody while they’re challenging for a ball, somebody needs to tell them what they’re supposed to do with their arms,’ he added.