Referee details ahead of Albion v Newcastle at the Amex

Craig Pawson will referee Albion at the Amex as they look to push for Europe. The South Yorkshire official makes his first trip to the stadium since the Seagulls’ early-season win over Manchester United. A 2-1 home success that day was made possible after United had a goal ruled out when Joshua Zirkzee unwittingly touched Alejandro Garnacho’s goal-bound shot before it had crossed the line.

A goal there would have given United the lead. Instead, Joao Pedro headed the winner for the Seagulls. Since then, Pawson has refereed Albion in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.



He first refereed them back in League One days, when they drew 0-0 at Leicester. Many fans will recall him sending off Ashley Barnes and Romain Vincelot in the first ten minutes of a 1-0 defeat by Burnley back in 2011-12. He has not shown a red card to any Albion players in 28 subsequent fixtures.

Across all competitions this season, he has shown 112 yellow cards and five reds in 29 fixtures. His most recent fixture was Manchester City’s late 2-1 win over Aston Villa lsst week. Andy Madley will be on VAR duty, a role he had for the recent FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest.

On that occasion, he advised referee Peter Bankes to review a decision to award a penalty for a foul or handball against Kaoru Mitoma. The full officiating team for Albion v Newcastle United is as follows. Referee: Craig Pawson.

Assistants: Timothy Wood, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Steve Martin. VAR: Andy Madley.

Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger..