Newcastle United and West Ham United face off in a crucial Premier League clash, with referee Craig Pawson’s controversial past decisions adding drama and scrutiny to an already intense matchup.
The decision to appoint Craig Pawson as the referee for this weekend's Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United has already sparked controversy. This matchup is crucial for both teams, with Eddie Howe's Magpies striving for a fourth consecutive win following impressive triumphs against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest. On the other hand, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, who is under significant pressure, urgently seeks a positive outcome to alleviate growing concerns regarding his future in charge of the Hammers.
Pawson's role in this match is seen as potentially contentious, especially among Newcastle supporters. The referee's earlier controversial decision this season has reignited worries. In Newcastle's opening match of the season, a 1-0 victory over Southampton, Pawson issued a red card to Fabian Schar after an alleged headbutt on Ben Brereton Diaz. This incident occurred after Brereton Diaz had collided with Schar, even though play had already been halted for a free-kick. The Swiss defender confronted the Southampton player, who then dramatically went down to the pitch.
Pawson determined that the circumstances warranted a red card, a verdict supported by VAR even though replays indicated only slight contact. This dismissal meant Newcastle had to play for more than an hour with 10 players; however, a determined Joelinton managed to secure a late winner. While Howe described the decision as “harsh,” former Newcastle manager Graeme Souness was notably more outspoken in his critique. He labeled Brereton Diaz as a cheat and proposed that the referee should have examined the situation on the monitor.
“If we stepped out onto the street right now and asked 10 football fans what they think, I’m sure all 10 would agree. The biggest frustration in football is simulation—cheating. Diaz was cheating,” Souness contended. He went on to assert that the referee ought to have overturned the decision, sending Diaz off and issuing a booking to Schar for his slight contact. For Souness, the act of simulation compromises the integrity of the sport: “You’re attempting to mislead the referee, the fans in the stadium, and the broader TV audience. That’s what annoys supporters more than anything else.”
Following that match, Pawson officiated another game involving Newcastle, which ended in a goalless draw against Everton. In that match, he awarded a penalty to Eddie Howe's team for a foul on Sandro Tonali. Nevertheless, Anthony Gordon's penalty attempt was saved by Jordan Pickford, and on that same evening, a potential penalty for Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially denied.
As Pawson finds himself once more at the heart of a significant Premier League match, his appointment is expected to be under intense examination from both teams, their managers, and the wider football community. With tensions escalating in the lead-up to this important game, all attention will be on how the referee navigates the unavoidable high-pressure moments on the pitch, especially considering the shadow of controversy surrounding his previous decisions.
