Newcastle United fans have tweeted their reaction to the news that referee Keith Stroud will not be officiating as planned this weekend following Wednesday night’s blunder.
Stroud was scheduled to be the man in the middle for the League One game between Gillingham and Millwall, but after making a huge error in the midweek Championship fixture, he has been stripped of his duties this weekend.
The match official rightly awarded Newcastle a penalty against Burton Albion when Dwight Gayle was fouled in the box.
Matt Ritchie converted from the spot, but Stroud ruled it out due to Gayle encroaching and instead gave Burton an indirect free kick.
Understandably, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez and his players were unhappy with the decision, and the PGMOL have since released a statement admitting that the referee’s call was wrong and Ritchie should have been allowed to take the penalty again.
Luckily for the Magpies, it did not affect the outcome of the game as Ritchie scored later in the match to seal a 1-0 victory.
Stroud, though, has been punished for his wrong judgement and will not be working this weekend.
Newcastle fans took to Twitter once they head the news that Stroud had been dropped.
