Newcastle United could receive major boost ahead of Tottenham clash as Spurs star sweats over potential ban

Tottenham Hotspur are praying James Maddison faces no retrospective ban ahead of their clash against Newcastle United. Nottingham Forest were incensed when the Spurs star appeared to strike Ryan Yates in the mid-section. The Tricky Trees midfielder hit the deck and VAR intervened but decided there was no violent conduct.

Referee Simon Hopper was therefore not summoned to the pitchside monitor and Maddison went unpunished. However, fans were torn on social media, with further questions being asked about the technology.

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher admitted the 27-year-old was “lucky” to stay on. He told Sky Sports: “This was really interesting because it got flagged up by the VAR. I listened to the VAR.

“I saw this while I was waiting for the VAR, somebody pointed it out to me he (Yates) had already got a yellow card and I thought 'This is going to be a very interesting decision'. VAR came to the conclusion, his words and I quote verbatim were: ‘No evidence of violent conduct'. That is his choice. What I would say is the referee has to be guided by him.

“The referee doesn't see it quite clearly, the VAR doesn't send him to the screen so he has no choice. He can't pick and go himself so he doesn't see it again. If he sees it again, then who knows what decision he will make.

“All I can relay is what he said. He feels there is no evidence of violent conduct. I think he’s really lucky. If you do that on a football field and you get sent off, you have not got a leg to stand on.”

Newcastle fans might remember Joey Barton receiving a retrospective ban for a similar incident against Blackburn Rovers in 2010. He was given a three-match suspension for punching Morten Gamst Pedersen - but Maddison will likely escape punishment.

The FA must decide whether the incident was “seen” or “unseen” but, as VAR analysed the footage, this may prove difficult. However, in exceptional circumstances, like Ben Thatcher’s elbow for Manchester City against Portsmouth in 2006, a panel of three former professional referees may review the footage and unanimously come to a fresh verdict.