FA rules will ban £53m Newcastle United trio if this happens against Brighton at St James’ Park

Three Newcastle United players find themselves in a precarious disciplinary situation as they prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, Newcastle aims to secure back-to-back appearances in the competition’s last eight after their dramatic 3-2 victory over Birmingham City in the previous round, a match where Joe Willock scored twice and Callum Wilson marked his return with a goal.

However, Willock, along with Dan Burn and Will Osula, carries the risk of suspension if booked in this upcoming fixture, adding an extra layer of tension to the encounter.

According to FA regulations, any player who receives two yellow cards in the competition before the semi-final stage faces an automatic one-match ban in the FA Cup.

This rule applies to clubs entering from the third round onwards and mirrors the suspension guidelines in the Carabao Cup, where Newcastle already experienced the consequences earlier this season. Sean Longstaff missed the quarter-final victory over Brentford, while Bruno Guimarães and Fabian Schär were sidelined for the semi-final first leg against Arsenal due to accumulated bookings.

Should any of Willock, Burn, or Osula receive another yellow card against Brighton and Newcastle advance, they would be ruled out of the quarter-final, putting further strain on Eddie Howe’s squad. Additionally, if a player accumulates two bookings after the quarter-final stage, they will be suspended for the semi-final at Wembley.

Osula and Willock have been instrumental in Newcastle’s FA Cup journey, despite having limited impact in the Premier League this season. Burn, on the other hand, has been a crucial figure across all competitions, playing a key role in the team’s defensive stability.

With all three players collectively costing Newcastle £53 million in transfer fees, maintaining discipline on Sunday will be essential to avoid a suspension that could impact their availability in the later stages of the tournament.

While yellow card suspensions do not carry over to different competitions, a straight red card would have more severe consequences. Any Newcastle player sent off on Sunday would be handed a three-match suspension that would affect their availability for upcoming Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures.

This means they would miss the league match against West Ham United and the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. If Newcastle progresses in the FA Cup, the third game of the suspension would be the quarter-final. However, if eliminated, the ban would extend to the Premier League match against Brentford before the player becomes eligible to return against Leicester City on April 7.

As Newcastle sets its sights on another deep cup run, the challenge posed by Brighton remains formidable. The Seagulls have historically been a tough opponent for Newcastle, particularly in FA Cup encounters.

It has been 95 years since Newcastle last triumphed over Brighton in this competition, having suffered defeats in their last five FA Cup meetings. Their Premier League record against Brighton has also been less than favorable, with just two wins in 15 matches since both clubs were promoted in 2017.

Eddie Howe, aware of the significance of this fixture, reaffirmed Newcastle’s commitment to the competition, drawing parallels to their approach in the Carabao Cup.

He emphasized the club’s determination to treat every game with the importance it deserves, fully recognizing the responsibility that comes with competing in such prestigious tournaments. The ultimate goal remains a return to Wembley, but overcoming Brighton will require a strong performance against a team known for its attacking prowess and consistent form.

Brighton enters the match in impressive form, boasting a squad filled with talented offensive players capable of causing problems for Newcastle’s defense. Howe acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing Brighton as a dangerous side that presents a serious test. Despite this, Newcastle remains focused on progressing further in the tournament, determined to build on their recent cup successes.

With the stakes high and the risk of suspension looming over key players, Newcastle must balance aggression with discipline to navigate this crucial fixture successfully. A victory would bring them one step closer to Wembley, but the need for a composed and tactical approach against Brighton cannot be overstated.

The historical struggles against this opponent serve as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted, making Sunday’s clash a defining moment in Newcastle’s FA Cup campaign.