Newcastle United told ‘cheating’ claim as Fabian Schar red card U-turn theory emerges

Former Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness believes Ben Brereton Diaz - not Fabian Schar - should have been sent off at the weekend.

Toon fans were incensed when the Swiss international was shown a red card for “headbutting” the Southampton striker. Replays showed there was minimal contact during a head-to-head after Schar was fouled by Brereton Diaz.

The Saints man collapsed to the floor and referee Craig Pawson reached for his pocket - forcing the Magpies to play for over an hour with 10 men. Newcastle rallied to snatch a goal against the run of play before holding on for all three points.

Eddie Howe revealed post-match that he would review footage before making a decision regarding an appeal. Speaking to talkSPORT, ex-Toon boss Souness condemned Diaz for “cheating” - and urged the authorities to stamp simulation out.

“If we walked out on the street right now and asked 10 people who are football supporters (to name) the most frustrating thing in football, what would all 10 say?” he asked. “Simulation - cheating. Diaz cheated.

“I personally think the referee should go to the screen, look at it (again), send Diaz off and book Schar. He cheated! Schar put his head towards him, there was no action of headbutting. 

“There was no action to say ‘I’m going to try and hurt you’. For me, Diaz threw himself to the ground - that is a red card. You're trying to deceive me, the people in the stadium and wider audience watching on the TV.

“You have to stamp that out. That’s the worst thing that frustrates supporters more than anything else.”