Guimaraes escapes red card after moment of madness in Newcastle’s ‘friendly’

NEWCASTLE star Bruno Guimaraes was lucky to escape a red card after putting his hands round Cristian Romero’s throat in a pre-season friendly.

The feisty South Americans came to blows during Newcastle's summer warm-up game against Spurs in South Korea on Sunday.

The spat came just before half-time at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, following a running battle between the pair.

Guimaraes had ridden a wild challenge from Spurs vice-captain Romero just outside the penalty area.

The Brazilian was then shoved to the floor in the box by Romero when trying to make space as the Toon were on the attack.

Guimaraes reacted angrily to the push, getting up off the floor and putting both hands round Romero’s neck.

It would usually be a sending-off in the Premier League, and Romero was seen making that case to Guimaraes’ team-mate and fellow centre-back Fabian Schar.

But in light of this game being a pre-season friendly, ex-Lyon man Guimaraes escaped punishment.

The incident was a flash point during a lively first half which was largely a love-in to South Korean icon Son Heung-min, who announced before the game he intends to leave Spurs after ten years this summer.

Brennan Johnson netted an opener for Tottenham - doing Son’s trademark ‘camera pose’ in celebration - before Harvey Barnes’ banger levelled the score, three minutes before Romero and Guimaraes’ scuffle.

And fans were quick to react online, with one writing: "It's a friendly boys."

While a second said: "Romero definitely started it but in a Prem game Guimaraes would’ve been sent off."

A third added: "There's no such thing as a friendly 🤣."

Meanwhile, other fans were in disbelief by the amount of mistakes being made during the game.

Spurs will kick off their Premier League campaign away to Burnley on August 16.

Last season's Carabao Cup winners Newcastle, meanwhile, will welcome Aston Villa to St James' Park.