Newcastle United will formally request clarification from referees’ governing body PGMOL following the decision not to award a penalty after Anthony Gordon went down in the Chelsea penalty area during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw, manager Eddie Howe has confirmed.
The incident occurred with Newcastle leading 2-1, when Gordon was challenged by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah inside the box. No penalty was given, and Chelsea went on to equalise soon after through Joao Pedro, denying the Magpies a potentially decisive advantage.
Speaking on Tuesday, Howe said the club had already initiated contact with PGMOL to better understand the reasoning behind the on-field and VAR decisions. “We will be seeking clarification and those calls have already gone in — not from me personally, but from the club,” he told reporters. “We just want to understand the thought process behind the decisions.”
Howe was forthright in his assessment of the incident, reiterating his belief that Newcastle were denied a clear opportunity from the spot. “I felt at the time, and I still do, that it was a stonewall penalty,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to coach defenders to make that type of challenge in the box because it invites a decision. One of the key aspects of defending is avoiding putting yourself in that position.”
The Newcastle boss added that reviewing the footage had only reinforced his original view. “I’ve looked at it again and I haven’t changed my mind,” he said.
Newcastle, who currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, will now turn their attention back to on-field matters as they prepare to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday, with the club hoping the disputed decision does not prove costly in the context of their season.
