Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is facing a possible three match suspension after he was sent off during Coventry City’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
Awoniyi received a straight red card in the 53rd minute of the Premier League clash at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Nigerian forward was dismissed after he caught Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper with his elbow during an aerial challenge.
The referee’s decision was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, but the red card was upheld.
Awoniyi could now be suspended for Coventry’s next three Premier League matches, depending on the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The dismissal is a major setback for the 28 year old striker, who only joined Coventry this summer from Nottingham Forest.
Awoniyi has made three Premier League appearances for Coventry since his move but is yet to score. He has played a total of 181 minutes in the league this season.
The red card against Brighton was also the first Premier League dismissal of Awoniyi’s career.
The Nigeria international had maintained a clean disciplinary record in the English top flight before Sunday’s incident.
Coventry will also be concerned about losing the striker at a time when the team will be looking to recover from the heavy defeat to Brighton.
Awoniyi will now await the Premier League’s disciplinary decision, which will determine the length of his suspension and the matches he will miss.
