Premier League make major decision involving Liverpool after Newcastle United controversy

Referee Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the Championship — one week after awarding a controversial penalty to Newcastle United.

Taylor was the man in the middle for the Magpies’ 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday where he came under heavy criticism from Wolves boss Gary O’Neil.

The scoreline was tied at 1-1 when Taylor pointed to the spot on the brink of half-time after Fabian Schar fell to ground under a challenge from Hee-Chan Hwang. A lengthy VAR took place but the on-field decision stood.

Callum Wilson converted to net his second goal of the evening. O’Neil branded the decision “terrible” and “scandalous”, despite Hwang going on to equalise later in the second-half.

“There wasn’t a penalty in the first half,” said O’Neil. “It’s a scandalous decision. Terrible. It was a terrible on-field decision and terrible that VAR didn’t intervene. I think they got it badly wrong.

“He goes to clear the ball and makes such minimal contact with Schar, hardly any, just a glance of the boot.

“Schar is already on his way down and the ball actually hits Channy’s (Chan) other boot before he even makes contact with Schar, so technically Chan gets the ball before he contacts Schar. That’s why it was a terrible decision.”

With that in mind, it is perhaps no coincidence that Taylor has been allocated a Championship match this weekend, rather than a Premier League fixture. The Manchester-based official will take charge of Preston North End versus Coventry City.

Taylor will be on VAR duty for Luton Town versus Liverpool on Sunday afternoon but his visit to Deepdale is the first time he’s refereed a second-tier match this campaign and since 2019.