Roy Keane Describes Awoniyi Red Card As Harsh

By Saheed Afolabi

English Premier League legend, Roy Keane has disagreed with the red card issued to Coventry City striker, Taiwo Awoniyi against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

Coventry City were smashed 5-0 in front of their own fans by Brighton as they search for their first win of the season.

Keane believes the red card issued to Awoniyi in the 53rd minute was extremely harsh and the Nigeria star didn’t intend to harm his opponent.

The former Manchester United midfielder said the Super Eagles striker played into the hands of the referee without knowing.

“I think it’s tough. Obviously, he’s raised his elbow and is waiting for him to come, but is it a swinging elbow? I think it’s harsh. He probably gave the referee the chance to send him off, but once that decision’s made it’s proper game over,” Keane said on Sky Sports.

Awoniyi was sent off in tbe 53rd minute following a swinging elbow which caught Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper while competing for the ball on the air which made the center referee, Tony Harrington to give the former Nottingham Forest forward his marching orders in the game which was stamped by the VAR.

Playing with an additional advantage, Brighton ran riot in the Coventry City defense and hammered them to get their second three points of the season.

Awoniyi now faces a three game ban, starting with the League Cup game against Aston Villa and Premier League fixtures against his former club Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

Five red cards have shown in the Premier League this season, following earlier dismissals to Axel Disasi (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), João Gomes (Aston Villa), and Reinildo Mandava (Sunderland).