Duran incident: Ex-FIFA ref notices what Schar did in Newcastle v Aston Villa
Jhon Duran was unlucky to be sent off for Aston Villa at Newcastle United because Fabian Schar kicked out first, according to Mark Halsey.
The former FIFA and Premier League official, in his column on page 6 of Friday’s football pull-out in The Sun [27 December], has argued Schar moved his legs towards Duran first and the young striker had nowhere else to position his feet as he went down.
Duran was dismissed in the first half of the 3-0 defeat with a straight red card for an alleged “stamp” at St James’ Park, with VAR not intervening due to what Halsey describes as the “subjective” nature of the incident.
The former referee said: “Jhon Duran was extremely unlucky to be sent off for a first-half stamp on Fabian Schar’s backside. Legs were flying everywhere, they both went to ground.
“Where else is Duran supposed to put his feet in that situation? He held his hands up straight away and apologised – he tried to move his foot away from Schar if anything. You could argue Schar kicked out first.
“Was it deliberate by Duran? No. Perhaps reckless but not violent – the force was negligible. VAR did not get involved because they thought it was subjective.”
Jhon Duran harshly treated as Aston Villa fall at Newcastle
Duran’s challenge – if it can even be referred to as such – is one of those that falls into a “bad optics” category. It looked worse than it was.
Halsey is correct. Many of a Newcastle persuasion have attempted to convince supporters that it was intentional from Duran. What would he have been trying to achieve?
Schar’s legs moved upwards towards the Colombian first. Duran, if anything, should get the benefit of the doubt for where his own feet landed – it looked messy but only because he was looking not to hurt his opponent.
VAR can actually however be understood on this occasion for their failure to intervene – as Halsey points out, the subjective nature of the incident means it is not a clear and obvious officiating error that can be instantly overturned.
Aston Villa’s iron of fire now is to appeal the decision, which pretty much rubber-stamped the permanent momentum of the game in Newcastle’s favour for the hosts to claim a straightforward win.
The issue now for Duran – of which the player himself will be aware – is that having worked so hard to carve out a starting place in the side, he could now have another uphill task awaiting him when he returns from suspension.
In other Aston Villa news, the latest on Louie Barry’s short-term future as the youngster attracts serious demand.
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