Newcastle United can exploit Premier League loophole vs Crystal Palace - on one condition

Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton is just one game away from avoiding a two-match Premier League ban.

Joelinton has been sitting on nine Premier League yellow cards since the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at the beginning of February. The Brazilian missed the next three games after that with a knee issue but has gone four matches without being cautioned since returning.

That said, the 28-year-old certainly tested the water during Sunday’s 4-1 win against Manchester United when he got into a verbal spat with midfielder Manuel Ugarte, just as he was about to be replaced by Sean Longstaff. Joelinton gestured to the Uruguayan that he would see him in the tunnel at full-time before being dragged away by his teammates.

It was then assistant coach Jason Tindall - leading the team in Eddie Howe’s absence - ushered Joelinton to the dugout and away from trouble.

“Joey is a phenomenal player,” said Tindall. “What he gives the team is passion, desire, commitment. It’s there for everybody to see. It was important at that stage that we were able to bring off a few of the players to rest their legs. We've got a busy week coming up. Joey is a passionate guy. He's on nine bookings as well, so we needed to get him for that reason.”

Newcastle United & Joelinton can benefit from Premier League loophole

As per Premier League rules, any player booked 10 times in their team’s opening 32 league matches is automatically handed a two-match ban. Newcastle’s clash against Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening is their 32nd league game of the 2024-25 campaign.

Avoid a yellow card and Joelinton is no longer at risk of an immediate ban. But if he is booked, he will be ineligible for the next two games against Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. However, there is a major Premier League loophole to be aware of.

Incredibly, Joelinton would be better off picking up two yellow cards and therefore being red carded versus Palace. The midfielder would have technically received his 10th and 11th booking of the season but because it equalled in a red card, his yellow card count would return to nine.

Of course, the best outcome in all of this is for the former Hoffeheim man to stay out of the referee’s notebook.

Are any other Newcastle United players at risk of a ban?

Dan Burn is on eight bookings but is no longer under threat of a ban after coming through the Man United game unscathed.

Potential suspensions don’t just apply to players with Jason Tindall at risk. The Newcastle assistant has been shown a yellow card twice this campaign. A third in the remaining seven games of the campaign will result in a one-match touchline ban.

"It's not often that I do pick up any cards,” Tindall told NewcastleWorld on Friday. “I know this season,obviously, I've picked up two yellow cards. I thought they were both probably a little bit harsh, but then I'm going to say that, aren't I?

“I've got a good relationship with the officials and I've got to be on my best behaviour."

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