Premier League make Fulham & Newcastle United official decision after 'historic' moment

The Premier League has confirmed the match officials for Fulham versus Newcastle United this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Having taken four points from back-to-back home games against West Ham United and Everton, Eddie Howe’s side visit Craven Cottage on the hunt for European qualification and overseeing the fixture is Sam Allison.

Allison, who has regularly officiated in the Championship this season, is taking charge of his first Fulham and Newcastle fixture having only made his Premier League debut on Boxing Day.

And that was a history-making afternoon for the the 42-year-old, who became only the second-ever black official to referee a Premier League match and the first since Uriah Rennie in 2008.

Allison oversaw a 3-2 win for Luton Town at Sheffield United before his second fixture last month saw the Hatters surrender a 3-0 lead and lose 4-3 at AFC Bournemouth.

He enjoyed a successful playing career before turning his attention to refereeing, playing for the likes of Swindon Town, Bristol City, Bournemouth and Exeter City, as well as making a handful of appearances for England schoolboys and representing Great Britain.

Allison had a dual career as a match official and a firefighter before turning his attention to officiating on a full-time basis after the introduction of the Elite Referee Development Plan.

There tends to be some controversy when Newcastle face Fulham. In the earlier season meeting at St James’ Park, where United ran out 3-0 winners, saw Raul Jimenez send off for a high challenge on Sean Longstaff.

It left Cottagers boss Marco Silva angry after the game. He said: “He jumped into the player but you don’t see something serious, something wrong with the other player. A yellow is right. VAR is trying to find all these moments to give. To justify their job? I don’t know. It’s clear he [Jimenez] lost the momentum. He should have done it in a different way. To go for a red card feels really strange. 

“It was a strange afternoon for the referee. I went to speak with him [afterwards] but he almost ran to the dressing room. It’s what we’re facing right now.”

Allison will be assisted by Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh with Jarred Gillett and Darren Cann on VAR duty. Simon Hooper is the fourth official.