Keane stands up for Nigerian player after red card

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has defended Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi after his controversial red card during Coventry City’s 5-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Awoniyi received a red card in the second half after an aerial clash with Maxim De Cuyper, where his arm hit the Brighton defender’s face. Referee Tony Harrington gave a straight red card for violent conduct, and this was confirmed after a video review.

The red card left Coventry down to 10 men, and Brighton took advantage to secure a big win. This loss keeps Frank Lampard’s team at the bottom of the Premier League standings without a point or a goal after four matches.

On Sky Sports, Keane called the red card harsh but noted that Awoniyi’s actions put him in a risky position. “I think the red card is a tough one. Awoniyi has raised his elbow as he is waiting for the Brighton player coming in, but was it a real swing? I do not know,” Keane said.

He added, “I think it is harsh, but you have to ask Awoniyi, did you give the referee an opportunity to send you off today? The answer is yes.”

Keane's comments come after a weekend where many refereeing decisions in the Premier League faced heavy criticism. Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer also supported Awoniyi and questioned whether he deserved a red card. Shearer argued that the contact with De Cuyper did not mean Awoniyi used his arm intentionally.

“I have watched it a few times, and I am still trying to understand what Awoniyi is supposed to have done differently. Two players are competing for the ball. He jumps, his arm comes up naturally and catches De Cuyper. There is contact. Nobody is denying that. But contact with somebody’s face cannot automatically mean violent conduct,” Shearer said.

The 56-year-old, who is the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, also wondered why the referee did not show a red card right away before the decision was reviewed. “What makes this one stranger is the referee did not immediately reach for a red card. So you think, okay, they will have another look at it. They have the benefit of different angles, slow motion, people watching it upstairs, plenty of time to decide whether Awoniyi has deliberately elbowed somebody. And after all that, somehow they come back with the most severe possible decision,” he said.

He insisted that the main question should have been whether Awoniyi meant to strike De Cuyper, not just if contact happened. Awoniyi now faces a three-match ban, which will keep him out of Coventry’s Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa and Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.