Newcastle United: Fans fume over ‘the worst decision by a referee’ in throwback post

Lots of Newcastle United fans are still fuming at a decision made by referee Keith Stroud back on the 5th April 2017.

Stroud decided to disallow a goal from the penalty spot by Matt Ritchie in their home match at St James’ Park against Burton Albion in the Championship. Luckily, the mistake did not cost the Magpies the game as Ritchie picked himself up to score the winner to put Newcastle top of the table, according to the Daily Mail.

As per the outlet, Stroud decided to rule the goal out because of infringement, but instead of allowing Ritchie to re-take the penalty, he instead awarded a free-kick to the away side.

The report states that as per FA rules, a successful penalty can only be overturned for one of three reasons. Firstly, if the ball is kicked backwards, secondly, if the player taking the spot kick produces an ‘illegal feint’, and thirdly if the player taker is not the name given to the referee.

The penalty in question did not seem to break any of these rules so it was odd for the ref to give a free-kick instead of asking for it to be taken again.

These NUFC supporters were fuming on Twitter, with one fan branding it ‘the worst decision by a referee‘:

https://twitter.com/PaulHew03845348/status/1246879614024237057

The stupidest decision ever.

— Jonny Hall (@jonnyehall) April 5, 2020

I was there near the corner flag when he took the kick we were going mad ,worst call I’ve ever seen,crowd knew he was wrong

— T.A.F.K.A.P (@gallowgate13) April 5, 2020

Worst decision I’ve ever seen. Absolute farce that the ref came over to consult the 4th official about the rule book. That ref should never of been allowed to ref another game after that.

— Denis Taylor (@ToonDen) April 5, 2020

That must be the worst decision by a referee I was one of the thousands that wondered what the hell was going on

— Robertson (@Roberts16051495) April 5, 2020