Taiwo Awoniyi: Newcastle legend Shearer bemoans striker’s red card vs Brighton

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has received backing from Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer after his controversial red card during Coventry City’s heavy defeat to Brighton. Soccernet.ng reports.

Awoniyi was sent off in the second half of Coventry’s 5-0 Premier League defeat at home to Brighton on Sunday following an aerial challenge with Maxim De Cuyper.

The Nigerian striker went up for the ball with the Brighton defender, with his arm making contact with De Cuyper’s face.

Referee Tony Harrington immediately showed Awoniyi a straight red card for violent conduct, with the decision subsequently upheld after a VAR review.

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The dismissal proved another setback for Coventry, who remain without a point or a goal after four Premier League matches since returning to the top flight, while Awoniyi is now facing a three-match suspension.

Shearer questions Taiwo Awoniyi’s red card

Shearer has now questioned whether Awoniyi deserved to be dismissed, arguing that the contact with De Cuyper did not necessarily mean the Nigerian had deliberately used his elbow as a weapon.

“I’ve watched it a few times and I’m still trying to understand what Awoniyi is supposed to have done differently,” Shearer said.

“Two players are competing for the ball. He jumps, his arm comes up naturally and catches De Cuyper. There’s contact. Nobody is denying that.

“But contact with somebody’s face cannot automatically mean violent conduct.

“Go outside and try jumping as high as you can with both arms pinned to your sides. You’ll look ridiculous, and you probably won’t get very high.

“Your arms move when you jump. That’s how the body works.”

The former England striker also questioned the fact that the referee did not immediately appear to make the most severe decision before the incident was reviewed.

“What makes this one stranger is the referee didn’t immediately reach for a red card. So you think, okay, they’ll have another look at it,” the 56-year-old added.

“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.”

Groß for Brighton, gross for Coventry. Costly errors of judgements. Bottom of the table, no goals, no points. Lampard will be questioned over line-up – some loyalty to players who helped Cov up (six new signings on bench) but what can Lampard do about such mistakes/actions by his…

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 13, 2026

Shearer believes the key issue should have been whether Awoniyi deliberately attempted to strike the Brighton defender rather than simply whether contact occurred.

“That’s the bit I don’t understand,” he said.

“If Awoniyi looks at him and throws an elbow, send him off. Nobody complains.

“But if we’re sending strikers off every time their arm catches somebody while they’re challenging for a ball, somebody needs to tell them what they’re supposed to do with their arms.”

The record English Premier League goalscorer went on to use his own experience to make his argument about the difficulties attackers face when challenging for aerial balls.

“Maybe the Premier League can release a diagram,” he joked.

“Because I played centre forward for twenty years and apparently I’ve been jumping the entire time incorrectly.”

The decision has significant consequences for Awoniyi, who will miss Coventry’s next three matches as a result of the suspension.

The Nigerian is set to miss Coventry’s Premier League meeting with his former club Nottingham Forest, as well as the Carabao Cup clash against Aston Villa and another league fixture against Newcastle.

Awoniyi had started Coventry’s clash with Brighton as Frank Lampard’s side looked to finally end their difficult beginning to life back in the Premier League.

Instead, Coventry suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, while Brighton ran riot after the Nigerian’s dismissal to complete a 5-0 victory.

The result leaves Coventry at the bottom of the Premier League table, still searching for their first goal and point of the campaign.