The 2024–25 English Premier League campaign did not get off to the start that Newcastle center back Fabian Schar was hoping for.
The Magpies started the season at home against Southampton, looking to kick the campaign off with a strong showing. Tempers flared during the first half, most notably during a dust-up between Schar and Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz.
As Schar attempted to play the ball safely back to his goalkeeper, Diaz recklessly challenged him from behind, barreling into his back and sending him to the ground. In an act of retaliation, Schar jumped up to his feet and got square into the face of Diaz. While face to face, Schar leaned forward and appeared to lightly headbutt his opponent, who did not hesitate to flop and sell the contact.
Although his acting job wasn't fooling anyone watching at home, it was more than enough to convince the referees of some foul play. Schar was issued a straight red card in the 28th minute, putting an early end to his first game of the season. As for Diaz, he was issued a yellow card for his involvement in the incident.
Have a look:
Fabian Schar sent off for a headbutt less than 30 minutes into the new season. 😳
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 17, 2024
Right or wrong, second guy always gets caught. 🟥 pic.twitter.com/bbea2j9Yz5
Soccer fans on social media were quick to voice their displeasure with the decision from the referee to expel Schar from the game. They also felt that Diaz should have received two yellow cards, and thus a red, one for his foul and one for simulation.
Not a Newcastle supporter but this is horrible. Not deserving of a red card, Fabian Schar should not have been disqualified.
— Nic Costello (@costello_nic) August 17, 2024
Brereton Diaz needs to join Broadway with that acting job.
pic.twitter.com/7jOZsyAO64
That is the worst red card decision I’ve ever seen in my life on Fabian Schar, I’m actually baffled
— Jamie Pearce (@Pearce8Jamie) August 17, 2024
Red card Not even a yellow pic.twitter.com/0odU2aRtqx
— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) August 17, 2024
Schar got a red card for this?
— FtblJoe (@FtblJoe) August 17, 2024
Craig Pawson has an agenda against Newcastle and it shows. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/aQysZyrbSu
This is a red card?
— BongoJonesi (@BongoJonesii) August 17, 2024
Game is SO gone.
Another instance of a player just throwing themselves to the floor and the ref buying it.
Absolute disgrace.
The elbow in the back from Brereton Diaz is more of an assault than Schar 🤷♂️
Shocking. https://t.co/hVIcnuPBev
Don’t care if it’s Newcastle or anyone, this is not a red card. If anything, the other player should be booked for faking.
— Ethan (@thfcem28) August 17, 2024
Got to get this rubbish out of football for good. Players now suspended for games for utter rubbish. pic.twitter.com/bbha2DIwz1
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Newcastle's Fabian Schär Sent Off After Questionable Red Card, Fans Were Livid.
