Premier League panel reveal Newcastle United v Man Utd referee mistake - plus Leeds United controversy
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Newcastle United latest news: Jacob Ramsey’s red card against Manchester United has been scrutinised by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel have ruled that Newcastle United’s Jacob Ramsey should not have been sent off during the Magpies’ victory over Manchester United last month.Ramsey was dismissed by referee Peter Bankes after being shown a second yellow card for a perceived act of simulation. Ramsey appeared to slip after hurdling the challenge of Red Devils goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but was shown a second yellow and then a red by Bankes who judged that the former Aston Villa man had dived to try and win a penalty.
Despite replays showing that Ramsey had indeed slipped and not tried to deceive the referee or officials, VAR could not intervene in the decision as it was not a straight red card offence. From next season, that ruling will be changed.
That would have been little consolation for Newcastle United who were forced to then play over 45 minutes with just ten men against Michael Carrick’s side. Fortunately, Will Osula’s stunning late goal ensured that Bankes’ mistake wouldn’t cost them three points.
In reviewing Ramsey’s red card, the KMI Panel voted 3:2 against Bankes’ decision, revealing that Ramsey’s ‘left foot appears to slip as he goes past the keeper’ and that it ‘wasn't an attempt to deceive the referee’ - as quoted by BBC Sport. They also note that this was the first time this season that the KMI Panel have found that a player was wrongly sent off for a second bookable offence.
The KMI Panel also voted 4:1 in favour that Brighton should have been awarded a penalty during their narrow defeat against Arsenal on the same night as the Ramsey incident. Sunderland were also fortunate to not see a penalty awarded against them a day prior during their 1-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road
Ex-referee disagrees with KMI Panel on Newcastle United v Manchester United red card
Despite the KMI Panel voting against Bankes’ decision at St James’ Park earlier this month, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher appeared on Sky Sports to defend Bankes’ decision to show Ramsey a second yellow card.
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Speaking on Ref Watch on the morning after Newcastle United’s triumph over the Red Devils, Gallagher threw his support behind the referee: “I back the referee because of the angle,” Gallagher said.
“Does he have to do that? Is he caught? No. He goes down so far after the incident has happened, and I don't think he needs to.
“I would also suggest that if he hadn't have got a yellow card for that, people would be screaming and saying we don't want diving. So Peter Bankes has taken positive action, so back him.”
That view was supported by Jay Bothroyd who added: “I do think it is [a dive]. When you see Ramsey, he starts clutching at his leg like he's been kicked and he hasn't been touched. He's looking for a penalty which means it's a dive.”
Ramsey was subsequently banned for Newcastle United’s FA Cup clash against Manchester City a few days after that, but returned to the team against Barcelona last week before putting in a very good performance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.