Former England captain Wayne Rooney has launched a blistering social media attack, demanding retrospective action against Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak for a contentious tackle on Brentford's Yoane Wissa.
The fiery exchange erupted on Instagram following Newcastle's hard-fought 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. The incident, which occurred in the first half, saw Isak escape any punishment from referee Simon Hooper after a strong challenge on Wissa.
Rooney's Instant Verdict
Rooney, never one to shy away from expressing his opinion, took to the comments section of a post by football news page 433 which showcased the tackle. The Manchester United legend did not mince his words, stating plainly: "Red card."
His comment quickly garnered significant attention, sparking a debate amongst fans and pundits alike. Many agreed with Rooney's assessment, believing the Swede's challenge was reckless and worthy of a sending-off.
The Incident Under the Microscope
The challenge saw Isak thrust into a 50/50 duel with Wissa, catching the Brentford forward on the ankle with his studs. While the referee allowed play to continue, video replays provided a much clearer and more damning view of the impact.
Despite the controversy, Isak remained on the pitch and was instrumental for the Magpies. He later redeemed himself by scoring a crucial 38th-minute equaliser, cancelling out an early penalty from Brentford's Ivan Toney.
The draw leaves Eddie Howe's Newcastle side with a single point from their opening fixture, while Thomas Frank's Bees will also feel it was an opportunity missed to start the season with a victory.
