Premier League release Matias Fernandez-Pardo statement after Newcastle United incident at Leeds
Matias Fernandez-Pardo had a Newcastle United full debut to forget at Leeds United.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo could only watch on as Newcastle United fell to a 4-1 defeat at Leeds United on Monday evening.
The £51million deadline day signing was handed his first start but barely got a sniff at Elland Road as a Lewis Miley own goal followed by goals from Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the hosts in a commanding position at the break.
The 21-year old was then withdrawn before the hour mark, shortly before Noah Okafor made it 4-0. Newcastle substitute Bazoumana Toure pulled back a late consolation from close range with his first Premier League goal and second in all competitions.
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But it saw Matthias Jaissle’s side fall to their first defeat of the season while Leeds’ unbeaten Premier League start continued as they moved up to third in the table.
Fernandez-Pardo’s debut almost got off to a disasterous start after the ball struck his arm inside the penalty area with less than two minutes on the clock. Referee Michael Salisbury waved away Leeds’ appeals and a VAR check upheld the on-field decision.
A statement released by the Premier League Match Centre read: “The referee’s call of no penalty for a potential handball offence by Fernandez-Pardo was checked and confirmed by VAR.
“REF: “For me, it's bouncing, it's not intentional”. VAR: “Confirming the on-field decision to play on - the ball just bounces up and inadvertently hits the arm of the defender”.”
Leeds’ second goal was initially credited as a Calvert-Lewin header as the forward header found the net via a deflection. But the Premier League’s Match Centre later credited Bogle with the goal as he was the last Leeds player to touch the ball.