‘Stupid’ – Eddie Howe & Alan Shearer disagree as Newcastle United consider FA appeal after Southampton win
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe voiced his discontent after what he perceived as a harsh decision by referee Craig Pawson to send off Fabian Schar during their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Southampton. The incident occurred in the 30th minute when Schar was shown a red card for an alleged headbutt on Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz. The Swiss international’s dismissal came after a tense moment when Diaz barged into Schar as play was stopped for a free-kick, sparking a confrontation that led to Pawson reaching for his back pocket.
At the time of the incident, the game was still goalless, and the dismissal threatened to derail Newcastle’s efforts. However, despite being reduced to ten men, Newcastle displayed remarkable resilience and determination, managing to secure all three points thanks to a crucial goal by Joelinton on the brink of halftime. This goal, which came at a pivotal moment in the match, proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The decision to send off Schar quickly became the primary talking point after the match. While some, like Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, took to social media to comment on the situation, describing Schar’s actions as “stupid” but also a prime example of “shithousery at its finest,” Howe stood by his defender, expressing his belief that the red card was overly severe. Shearer’s comments on platform X reflected the mixed emotions of many fans, who were frustrated by Schar’s actions but also sympathetic to the idea that the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
In his post-match interview, Howe didn’t hold back his thoughts on the incident. “I think it’s really harsh on Fabby,” he said, reflecting on the moment that saw his team go down to ten men. “But at the same time, I think we all understand that you can’t give the referee even a sliver of a reason to issue a red card. That’s something we’ll need to take on board and learn from. Our discipline has been exemplary for a long period, so I don’t see this as a reflection of a deeper problem within the team. But it’s certainly a valuable lesson.”
Despite the setback of losing Schar, the Newcastle players rallied together, showing immense character and fortitude. The dismissal seemed to ignite a fire within the team and the St James’ Park crowd, who responded with a surge of support. The atmosphere in the stadium became electric, with the fans fully behind their team in their quest to hold onto the lead.
Howe was quick to acknowledge the impact of the crowd in his post-match remarks. “There were moments during the match where the noise from the crowd was so intense that I couldn’t even communicate with Jason [Tindall],” Howe noted, highlighting the significant role the fans played. “Our supporters were absolutely brilliant today. You often hear managers talk about the importance of the crowd, and some might dismiss it as a cliché, but it’s genuinely true. The energy and noise they bring to the game are a massive part of our home success. Today, especially, when we felt hard done by the referee’s decision, the crowd’s response was incredible. They really do inspire the players and give us that extra push.”
The red card means that Schar is set to miss Newcastle’s next three matches, which include crucial fixtures against AFC Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur. However, Howe hinted that the club might consider lodging an appeal against the decision, though he admitted that he would need to review the incident more closely before making any final decisions.
“I haven’t had a chance to see the replay yet, so we’ll have to assess it before deciding on whether to appeal,” Howe stated. “My initial reaction is that it was a soft decision, and it feels like Fabian was caught in an unfortunate situation. But before I make any further comments or criticisms, I need to see it again in detail. We’ll then decide what our next steps should be.”
On the opposite side of the pitch, Southampton manager Russell Martin offered a contrasting perspective. He stood by the referee’s decision, suggesting that Schar’s actions warranted the red card that was shown.
“When you have a situation where one player is standing still and another player leans in with their head, you leave the referee with little choice but to act,” Martin explained. “I’m confident that their players would have reacted in the same way if the roles were reversed. It was a moment of madness from Schar, and that’s why we have VAR—to ensure that the correct decisions are made. They’ve reviewed the incident several times in slow motion, and the fact that the red card stood shows that they believed it was the right call.”
As Newcastle reflects on this controversial match, the focus will now shift to the upcoming games and how they will cope with the absence of Schar. His potential suspension could pose a significant challenge for Howe and his team, especially with important matches on the horizon. However, if the club decides to appeal and is successful, it could be a crucial boost as they navigate this tricky period in their season.
Regardless of the outcome, this match will likely be remembered for the determination and spirit shown by Newcastle in the face of adversity, as well as the role the St James’ Park crowd played in driving their team to victory.
