AliousControversial Referee Who Fell for Red Card Stunt Against Newcastle Star Set to Officiate High-Stakes Brighton Clash
Newcastle United are preparing for a pivotal Premier League showdown against Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday, with the match set to kick off at 2 pm and broadcast live on Sky Sports. While Brighton have drifted out of Champions League contention, they remain a formidable threat—particularly considering they’ve already beaten Newcastle twice this season across league and cup competitions.
The Magpies haven’t beaten the Seagulls since a 4-1 win at St James’ Park in May 2023. However, with the reverse fixture falling in May again this year, Newcastle will be hoping for a repeat of that result as they chase precious points in an increasingly tense battle for Champions League qualification.
Adding further intrigue to the fixture is the announcement that Craig Pawson will referee the match. Pawson is a familiar—and somewhat controversial—figure to Newcastle fans. He was in charge on the opening day of the season when Fabian Schar received a red card after a dramatic tumble from Ben Brereton-Diaz. Despite minimal contact, Brereton-Diaz’s exaggerated reaction led to Schar’s dismissal and a costly three-match suspension, upheld by VAR and widely criticized.
Sunday’s assignment will be Pawson’s latest Newcastle match, following his oversight of their game against Everton, where he awarded the Magpies a penalty—missed by Anthony Gordon—and dismissed Everton’s appeals for one of their own. His inconsistent officiating has drawn scrutiny, and given the questionable performance by Michael Salisbury in Newcastle’s most recent outing, fans are bracing for another eventful afternoon.
With so much at stake, both in terms of league position and redemption, Newcastle supporters will be watching Pawson’s decisions closely—hoping this time, they won’t be on the wrong side of the officiating drama.
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