EPL make huge Newcastle United v Brighton official decision after ‘cheat’ claim & Liverpool complaint
The Premier League has officially announced the match officials for the upcoming clash between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion, scheduled for this afternoon with a kick-off time of 3 pm.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle squad will host Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park for their final home fixture of the 2023-24 season. Drawing inspiration from their previous 4-1 victory, the Magpies are eager to secure another three points, potentially positioning them on the verge of European qualification.
Taking charge of the match will be Darren England, a seasoned referee at 38 years old. England has officiated only one Newcastle game this season, which resulted in their 1-0 defeat against Luton Town on December 23. Brighton, on the other hand, were last overseen by England in February 2023.
In a season rife with VAR controversies, the English Premier League has seen its fair share of heated debates and contentious decisions. From Burnley boss Vincent Kompany’s fiery accusations to Liverpool’s VAR fiasco, the league has been a battleground for both players and officials alike.
Vincent Kompany’s Chelsea Penalty Saga
Late March saw Burnley boss Vincent Kompany ignite a storm of controversy when he awarded Chelsea a penalty during their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Kompany faced charges of misconduct for his language and behavior towards a match official, even going as far as questioning the official’s integrity by calling him a “——- cheat.”
Admitting his fault, the former Manchester City defender attended the hearing not to justify his actions but to offer a personal apology.
Liverpool’s VAR Nightmare
Liverpool found themselves at the center of one of the campaign’s biggest VAR blunders during their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in September. The controversy erupted when Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.
The VAR team, comprised of England and Daniel Cook, upheld referee Simon Hooper’s on-field decision, signaling ‘check complete’ despite the goal appearing onside. This led to the play restarting with a Spurs free-kick. Despite realizing their mistake immediately, the decision remained unaltered due to existing protocols.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb acknowledged the clear error made by England and Cook, resulting in both officials standing down for the final round of matches before the October international break.
Klopp’s Call for Replays
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, didn’t mince words, suggesting that the fixture should be replayed following the controversy. In a powerful statement released by Liverpool Football Club, Klopp highlighted the failure of PGMOL to uphold the integrity of the game.
The statement emphasized the importance of correct decision-making and transparency, calling for improvements in processes to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
Officials for Future Matches
Looking ahead, England will be assisted by Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh, with Andy Madley on VAR and Nick Hopton on assistant VAR. Leigh Doughty will serve as the fourth official, as the Premier League aims to navigate through the VAR controversies with greater precision and transparency.
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