Newcastle fans are not happy following the referee announcement for this weekend’s clash with Manchester United.
A ball has yet to be kicked and they’re complaining…
Craig Pawson has been confirmed as the referee for the Premier League showdown at St. James’ Park. He has managed four matches so far this season in the league, Europa League and Championship.
The Premier League also confirmed that Lee Mason would be in charge of VAR for United’s next match.
As you can see from the immediate reaction of Newcastle supporters on Twitter, they go into the game in a state of paranoia, and are super quick to claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side get decisions their way inside the box.
He’s afulll
— Robbie Clark (@_robbie_clark1) October 13, 2020
Penalty to Man United
— Tino’s Best Mate (@TBM_33) October 13, 2020
Discussion surrounding ‘Project Big Picture’ has been constant over the past week as the big Premier League clubs look to ‘shake-up’ English football (via Telegraph).
The plan — reportedly driven by Manchester United and Liverpool — could see the Premier League cut to an 18-team league, with the EFL Cup and Community Shield being abolished, while owners like the Glazers would gain more power over the governing of the English game.
Newcastle fans added that to their list of complaints ahead of Saturday’s late kick-off:
The referee for NUFC vs MUFC has been decided…….
By a panel made up of reps from the “Big 6”
Expect a penalty or 2 to Man Utd. https://t.co/yOjPOftH1k
— Rob Staples (@DisturbedLilBoy) October 13, 2020
Will he have Ed Woodward in his ear piece making all the decisions? 😂 https://t.co/dtdH6Cka03
— Newcastle Toons (@NewcastleToons) October 13, 2020
This referee was approved by Liverpool and Manchester United 😉
— IanBurns (@ll370) October 13, 2020
Will Man United be making the decisions
— Liam (@LiamNUFC98) October 13, 2020
A Craig Pawson throwback of interest to MUFC fans would be from early this year, when Manchester United admitted a breach of Football Association rules for failing to control their players against Liverpool at Anfield, as per The Independent.
United were fined £20,000 after several players surrounded Pawson when Roberto Firmino thought he had scored Liverpool’s second goal in the 26th minute of the match.
United have been fined £20,000 by the FA over players surrounding referee Craig Pawson during the Liverpool game #MUFC pic.twitter.com/vVnzAYr1Ze
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) January 24, 2020
David de Gea, who thought he had been fouled in the build-up to the goal by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, was booked during United’s protests. The yellow card was rescinded after a VAR review agreed with the keeper and the goal was thus ruled out.
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