English Premier League: Steve McClaren defends Aleksandar Mitrovic after Arsenal red card
NEWCASTLE head coach Steve McClaren defended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after his early red card against Arsenal.
NEWCASTLE head coach Steve McClaren defended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after his early red card against Arsenal.
The Serbian, who was booked in each of his first two appearances for the club, was dismissed by referee Andre Marriner after catching midfielder Francis Coquelin 16 minutes into the Magpies’ 1-0 home defeat
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who accused McClaren’s men of taking a “physical” approach to a game in which they also had six players booked, said the former Anderlecht man had to go, but his opposite number did not agree.
McClaren said: “(Moussa) Sissoko had a similar one just before, and that was given a yellow.
“I’ve seen it over and over — it’s come over his head, he’s looking at the ball, there is no intent, there is no maliciousness, it’s just coming down and he’s just stamped on his foot.
“It definitely was not dangerous. It was clumsy, but I have seen plenty of clumsy challenges. Football is a contact sport, it’s a physical sport and we cannot take that away.
“And I don’t think any of the tackles — and don’t get me wrong, the seven yellows and red card ... It was not a dirty game and we’ve not kicked them off the park.
“They were fouls and I think the ref has reacted too harshly with every one of them — a bit too soon, a bit too rash.”
Asked if the club would appeal Mitrovic’s red card, McClaren added: “I hope I can. No doubt we will lose it.”
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Originally published as English Premier League: Steve McClaren defends Aleksandar Mitrovic after Arsenal red card