laid into after a “ridiculous problem” on noticed the Tottenham midfielder despatched off within the first half of .
Simons was chasing down Van Dijk earlier than lunging ambitiously in the direction of the captain, raking his studs down his Dutch compatriot’s calf whereas getting nowhere close to the ball.
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The 22-year-old was initially proven a yellow card by referee John Brooks earlier than VAR intervened, advising him to the pitch-side monitor to assessment his choice.
The warning was subsequently upgraded to a straight crimson card as Simons was given his marching orders simply after the half-hour mark, one thing co-commentator Neville thought was utterly warranted.
Xavi Simons noticed crimson after a VAR assessment (REUTERS)
“Simons was by no means going to get there,” he stated on Sky Sports activities’ broadcast of the sport. “He rakes his studs proper down the again of Van Dijk’s leg. That is not intelligent. It’s a poor, poor problem. It’s a ridiculous problem.
“He’s completely nowhere close to the soccer. Malicious, nasty, reckless? No matter you wish to name it. Stupidity.
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” is six foot 4 and 15 stone. If it’s the different approach round, it is a leg breaker.”
Simons noticed crimson after his problem was deemed as severe foul play, which constitutes as “a sort out or problem that endangers the security of an opponent or makes use of extreme drive or brutality”.
Simons has struggled to make an influence at Tottenham since his £52m arrival from RB Leipzig in the summertime, managing only a objective and two assists within the this season.
The harm achieved to Virgil van Dijk’s sock after Simons’ problem (Getty Photographs)
Whereas capable of sympathise with the Dutchman amid his on-pitch his struggles, Neville stated Simons may don’t have any complaints in regards to the referee’s verdict, one thing that was demonstrated by the response of his teammates.
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” is having a bitch about it, however not one of the Tottenham gamers are complaining. Those who’ve seen it are going ‘what are you doing?’
“It’s the very fact he’s nowhere close to the ball. Once you put your studs down somebody’s ankle (or) calf like that from behind, you’re asking for large hassle.
“That’s a participant that’s struggling. Struggling along with his type, struggling mentally. He’s simply tried to contain himself within the recreation by one way or the other making an attempt to place a little bit of battle into it, a little bit of muscle into it, however that’s not the best way to do it.”