Graeme Souness believes the Premier League is “doomed” if they allow players to con referees and VAR into red cards – just as Ben Brereton Diaz did on Saturday.
The former Newcastle United boss spoke passionately on talksPORT this morning when discussing Fabian Schar’s controversial dismissal in our 1-0 win over Southampton, insisting Diaz “cheated” and should’ve been the one to see red for his antics.
Souness feels there was no headbutting action from Schar and wants Diaz’s play-acting to be punished moving forward, calling it “embarrassing” and “the worst thing” in football that frustrates supporters more than anything else.
“Diaz cheated,” he said. “Schar is wrong. I personally think the ref should go to the screen, look at it, send Diaz off and book Schar.
“You’re cheating. Schar put his head towards him – he did – but there’s no action or headbutting. He’s gone there and gone, ‘Come on then!’ There’s no action of, ‘I’m going to try and hurt you.’ Diaz threw himself to the ground. That’s a red card.
“He’s trying to deceive me and trying to cheat the people that are in the stadium and the wider audience that are watching on the television. Here’s your red card. See you son.
“You’ve got to stamp that out because that is the worst thing. It frustrates supporters more than anything else. Embarrassing. You can say it was an invitation that was too good to refuse, but that’s not us. If we allow that to continue in the game, which the referees are allowing, our league is doomed.”
Schar shouldn’t have reacted the way he did but Brereton Diaz should be given a retrospective Red Card by the F.A.for bringing the game into disrepute as a minimum.
If they let this go it proves just how useless they are along with tick box referee’s and
VAR.
Joseph(Quote)
I think Schar’s red is not a clear and obvious error so should stand. However, Diaz got a yellow for the initial foul and should have received a second for simulation
PremAndUp(Quote)
Should have received an Oscar 🤣
LA Toon(Quote)
There is a video from another angle that actually shows both heads going towards each other’s.
VAR should be picking this up, it’s so embarrassing they haven’t.
The incident should have been both players either yellow or red.
Robbo(Quote)