Report: Newcastle face tough call on potential red card appeal | OneFootball

Newcastle Weigh Up Gordon Red Card Appeal After Costly FA Cup Dismissal

Magpies Face Key Decision Over Three-Game Ban

Newcastle United are considering an appeal against the red card that could rule Anthony Gordon out of the Carabao Cup final, a decision that may yet shift the narrative of their season.

Gordon was dismissed during Newcastle’s 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Brighton, the forward lashing out at Jan Paul van Hecke in what some saw as frustration, others as folly. The resulting three-match suspension would see him miss domestic fixtures, including the EFL Cup final against Liverpool on 16 March—a brutal blow for a club already well-versed in untimely suspensions.

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It was only a year ago that Newcastle walked into a cup final without their first-choice goalkeeper. Nick Pope’s red card meant Loris Karius was thrust into the limelight against Manchester United. Now, history threatens to repeat itself, only this time with one of their most influential attackers watching from the stands.

Howe Leaves Appeal Door Open

Eddie Howe was careful with his words in the immediate aftermath but left little doubt that Newcastle will explore their options.

“Of course. If we analyse the incident and feel there’s grounds for that [an appeal], we will do without hesitation,” Howe said.

“I’d need to see it, I can’t sit here and give an honest opinion to that until I’ve done the work that you’ve done and looked at it. But knowing the player, I know there’s no malice intended there.”

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Gordon’s impact this season has been undeniable—nine goals, six assists, and a relentless energy that has driven Newcastle’s attacking play. His absence in a final of this magnitude would not just be a tactical inconvenience, but a psychological one too.

Petulance or Justified Frustration?

The debate over Gordon’s dismissal has already begun. Some see it as a moment of hot-headedness, others as a harsh punishment for a brief lapse.

BBC Radio 5 Live summariser Paul Robinson was damning in his verdict:

“Petulance, that’s all it was. Anthony Gordon felt hard done by that he didn’t get a penalty [earlier on]. It is stupid from him. He knows he cannot get there and he has run into Van Hecke with two hands. It looked like frustration to me. He has pushed the Brighton defender with force.”

Danny Murphy echoed a similar sentiment on BBC One, highlighting the unnecessary nature of the act:

“It was a moment of madness because the whistle had already gone [for offside], which he obviously heard. The whistle’s gone and he just lashes out.”

Howe Stands by His Player

For all the external criticism, Howe remains steadfast in his belief that Gordon’s aggression is simply part of his game—though even he admitted frustration may have played a role.

“He plays hard—I want him to play hard, I want him to be competitive, but I don’t see an issue there at this moment,” Howe said. “Maybe a bit of frustration in the game that things weren’t going our way, but I’d say that’s not a common sight for me when Anthony plays.”

For now, Newcastle have a decision to make. They must weigh the risk of an unsuccessful appeal against the reward of potentially having their talisman available for a game that could define their season.