Newcastle star Fabian Schar sent off for a HEADBUTT just 28 minutes into the new season – and then there’s a scrap in the tunnel too!
Newcastle United centre-back Fabian Schar’s first game of the season lasted just 28 minutes after he was sent off for headbutting Southampton’s Ben Brereton Diaz.
Schar, 32, was pushed to the ground from behind and reacted angrily, first pushing Diaz and then thrusting his forehead forward, causing the Saints star to fall to the ground in a dramatic fashion.
As a large group of players quickly surrounded him, Brereton was left writhing on the ground as the Newcastle defender gestured for him to get up.
Centre-back Dan Burn also looks set to try and lift the striker, while Magpies keeper Nick Pope and Southampton striker Adam Armstrong also intervene.
And despite a VAR check, Newcastle were forced to settle for 10 men, putting their start to the season in jeopardy.
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar’s first game of the season lasted just 28 minutes after he was sent off for a headbutt
Schar, 32, was pushed to the ground from behind and responded angrily, first pushing Diaz and then thrusting his forehead forward
A scuffle broke out as Newcastle players reacted angrily to the decision
A statement from the Premier League said: ‘The referee showed Schär a red card for violent conduct. VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s decision.’
The centre-back now faces a three-match ban following his red card, leaving manager Eddie Howe scrambling to strengthen his defence.
And it comes at the worst possible time for Newcastle, with the side already in negotiations for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
It was reported yesterday that Palace will reject an initial £60million bid from Newcastle for Marc Guehi.
Mail Sport were the first to report on Friday morning that the Magpies had made their fourth bid for the England international.
However, sources close to the deal indicate the package is still not suitable for Palace.
The latest offer reportedly includes a guaranteed £60m plus a further £5m in add-ons.
Palace want a minimum of £65m for Guehi and it is understood that chairman Steve Parish is demanding that amount in guaranteed money, excluding any additional bonuses. This means Newcastle will need to find closer to £70m to complete the transfer.
Despite the early setback, the Magpies managed to score an opening goal through Joelinton just before half-time to take the lead against the newly promoted side.
Saints keeper Alex McCarthy made a huge mistake by playing the ball straight to Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who then tapped the ball to the Brazilian, who fired it in.
After the half-time whistle, a confrontation broke out between a number of players in the tunnel of St. James’s Park, but the row did not last long.