Newcastle United star avoids four-match ban after independent panel review

Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope was fortunate to avoid a red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month, an independent panel has concluded.

The 30-year-old avoided punishment when his heavy touch from Sven Botman’s backpass was pounced on by Raul Jimenez before the Wolves striker fell to the ground.

Referee Andy Madley waved away the penalty appeals and VAR agreed with the on-field decision. Eddie Howe’s side won the match 2-1 after goals from Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron.

Had Pope been sent off, the England goalkeeper would have served a four-match ban, and therefore missed matches against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, West Ham and Brentford, having been red carded in the previous home game against Liverpool.

Even Magpies legend Alan Shearer admitted after the game Pope was lucky to escape his marching orders. And interestingly, as reported by the Daily Mail, a five-person independent panel determined that a penalty should have been awarded and, in turn, Pope dismissed. The scoreline was level at the time of the incident.

That said, although the referee was seen to have made an ‘incorrect’ decision in the eyes of the panel, it was not ‘clear and obvious’ enough for an overruling by VAR.

Howe’s men were on the wrong side of a refereeing decision six days later at Forest when Elliot Anderson’s goal was ruled out for offside.

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