Angry Newcastle fans groan after Merseyside referee Rob Jones is awarded their game against Brighton… as they battle Liverpool for a place in the Champions League
- Rob Jones has been put in charge of the game between Newcastle and Brighton
- Newcastle are currently in a battle to make the top four ahead of Liverpool
- Jones lives in Merseyside and Newcastle fans are concerned about his impartiality
Furious Newcastle fans have called for referee Rob Jones to be pulled from their crucial Premier League game with Brighton on Thursday over concerns about his impartiality.
Newcastle go into the game at St James’ Park knowing a win will take them a step closer to a top four finish, but they are being chased by Liverpool, who have won their last seven games to within one point of the magpies.
Jones has been awarded the game but is based in the Merseyside area, with some Newcastle supporters concerned about the deal given where he lives.
“A Liverpool referee should not be refereeing this game. Simply. All eyes will rightly be on his performance,” Newcastle journalist Liam Kennedy wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night.
“@newcastle_world has asked the @premieleague to clarify the nomination.”
Referee Rob Jones (above) from Merseyside has been given charge of the game between Newcastle and Brighton on Thursday night
Newcastle fans want him taken out of the game as he is from the Merseyside area and they are involved in a top four battle with Liverpool
Liverpool fans pointed out that Michael Oliver (centre) refereed their games
A Newcastle supporter agreed with Kennedy’s skepticism and urged the Premier League to think again.
“No, this is off,” insisted the Twitter account named “Mouth of the Tyne.”
“I’m sure the club has it all under control, but a match of this magnitude cannot possibly go ahead with a Scouse referee in charge. He may not even support Liverpool, but there’s always a chance his friends/relatives will.’
The same account followed up with another tweet, adding, “Robert Jones. The Premier League referee who lives in the Wirral area of North West England.
“Liverpool is our direct competitor for a CL spot with 3 games to go. He is simply NOT allowed to judge our match on Thursday.’
However, the outrage was met with short shrift by some Liverpool supporters.
The Anfield Talk responded to criticism of the appointment with the message: ‘Michael Oliver regularly referees Liverpool and is literally a Newcastle fan’, alongside a photo of the official wearing a Newcastle shirt.
It is well documented that Oliver is a Newcastle supporter, and he was spotted partying with the club’s fans as they took over London ahead of the team’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United in February.
Due to his loyalty to Newcastle, Oliver can’t referee the Magpies, but that hasn’t stopped him from being put on other high-profile matches, including those involving Liverpool.
There is currently no suggestion that the Premier League will replace Jones for Thursday’s game as Newcastle aim to win their game against Liverpool to move closer to qualifying for the Champions League.