SAINTS forward Ben Brereton Diaz has spoken out about his controversial clash with Newcastle's Fabian Schar, insisting: "It’s a red card."
The Swiss defender was shown a straight red on the opening weekend of the Premier League season after he leaned his head into Ben Brereton Diaz.
Saints debutant Brereton Diaz hit the deck, prompting referee Craig Pawson to give Schar his marching orders on 28 minutes.
Schar left the field to much frustration from the home fans, while Chile international Brereton Diaz was jeered until he was withdrawn in the second half.
Former Saints and Newcastle forward Alan Shearer dubbed Brereton Diaz's theatrics as "embarrassing" in the aftermath.
However, the 25 year old insisted he only cares about what his teammates and manager think and is unconcerned about the response he received on social media.
READ MORE: 'Takes the bait' - Shearer labels Brereton Diaz reaction 'embarrassing'
"For me it was adrenaline," Brereton Diaz explained speaking to the Daily Mail. "In the game, I felt contact and went down and that’s just how it is.
"If it’s not a red card, the VAR has got to come in and say it’s not a red card but for me I felt contact and that’s it.
"That’s football. I’m not really on Twitter or much like that but that comes with football. That’s part and parcel of it.
"People have got opinions. The only opinions I have to care about are what the team and the manager think.
"I’ve watched it back a couple of times. It’s a tough one, isn’t it? In this day and age it’s hard to really say is it a red card or is it not.
"But it’s not my decision. I’ve felt contact, gone down and the ref and the VAR have got to sort it out. They thought it was a red card so it’s a red card.
"I’m just trying to play football. At the end of the day, I’m all good. It is what it is."
READ MORE: Ben Brereton Diaz on Southampton move and first goal at St Mary's
Southampton's winless start to the season has brought criticism upon Russell Martin's style of play.
Errors while playing out from the back have cost Saints vital points and seen them compared to Burnley, who were relegated last season.
"It’s how football should be played," summer signing Brereton Diaz insisted. "It was successful last season, and I don’t see why we can’t do it like that in the Premier League.
"Southampton is a big club with big expectations. They want to stay in the Premier League and I’ve been brought here to help them do that. I want to prove I can play in the Premier League."
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