Monchi breaks silence on Jhon Duran controversy as Aston Villa appeal rejected
Aston Villa's appeal to overturn Jhon Duran's red card has been rejected by the Football Association
Aston Villa president of football operations Monchi has broken his silence after Jhon Duran's red card appeal was rejected on Friday.
The Colombia international was shown a red card in Villa's 3-0 loss at the hands of Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton were among the goals as the Magpies inflicted the sixth Premier League defeat on Unai Emery's side this season.
Questions were raised during and after the match over the validity of Duran's sending off. The forward lost out in a tussle with Newcastle defender Fabian Schar and appeared to step on the Swiss international as they fell to the floor. While a painful challenge, Villa and Duran were insistent there was no intent and it was accidental.
READ | Aston Villa learn outcome of Jhon Duran red card appeal after Newcastle controversy
That was not the view of the FA, however, as the club announced on Friday evening that the ban will not be rescinded as the appeal was rejected by the governing body. As a result, the 21-year-old will now miss Villa's next two league games against Brighton and Leicester City, as well as their FA Cup meeting with West Ham. Duran will be available for selection again when Emery's side travel to take on Everton on January 15.
In light of recent developments, Villa's president of football operations, Monchi, has shared his thoughts on the decision not to overturn Duran's red card. Speaking on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the 56-year-old said: "We can understand a mistake, because to err is human, but to insist on the mistake only creates doubts about the system.
"I came from a place where the motto is NEVER SURRENDER. so here we say the same thing, we will not surrender and we will continue fighting for our club. Up the Villa."
Villa are now ninth in the Premier League standings with 28 points. They are six points off top four as things stand, although Fulham and Manchester City also sit in the same position with 18 games played.