The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) group have released a statement explaining why Newcastle United’s penalty was ruled out against Burton Albion on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle were awarded a penalty for a foul on striker Dwight Gayle in the 29th minute of the game and the controversy began. Matt Ritchie stepped up to take the resulting penalty and fired it home but it was obviously straight away that the goal would not stand. Many fans, including the Newcastle United Twitter account thought that the referee, Keith Stroud, had ordered a retake of the penalty.
The ref orders a retake after Ritchie converts. #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2017
However, it soon became clear that there was not to be a retake after all. After some discussion with his colleagues, Stroud awarded Burton Albion a free-kick in their own penalty area. It was not initially clear why the referee had decided to do this.
The referee has given Burton a free-kick inside the box and the penalty WON'T be retaken!! Incredible! #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2017
32' – Unbelievable scenes at St. James' Park. Referee Keith Stroud disallows Matt Ritchie's converted penalty and there won't be a retake.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2017
PGMOL have since released a statement, shedding some light on the decision. The statement reads: “In the Championship game between Newcastle United and Burton Albion, referee Keith Stroud awarded Newcastle a penalty in the 29th minute. As Matt Ritchie took the kick, Dwight Gayle encroached in the penalty area. An indirect free kick was awarded to Burton, but the Laws of the Game state that that the penalty kick should have been retaken.
“Unfortunately, the referee has misapplied the Law. Keith and his team are understandably upset at the lapse in concentration and apologise for the mistake.”
Therefore, PGMOL accept that the free-kick was awarded to Burton wrongly and the penalty should have been retaken instead.
Newcastle went on to win the game 1-0 and put themselves back top of the Championship, one point clear of Brighton with only six games left to play.
Despite the incorrect decision, Newcastle United’s official Twitter account seemed to see the humorous side after the game:
Every Stroud has a silver lining… 😉#NUFC pic.twitter.com/DuatlDB0Lt
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2017
