Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope will be banned for the League Cup final, and so should Manchester United’s Marcel Sabitzer.
That is the view of former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who believes that the Austrian midfielder should have been sent off during the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday.
Sabitzer was involved in a collision with Foxes defender Wout Faes. The Belgian cleared the ball on the edge of his own box, only to be caught around the knee area by a dangerous challenge from Sabitzer. He lunged in studs up on Faes, and made contact very high up his leg.
It was a shocking challenge, yet it went unpunished by the referee. VAR then failed to overturn the decision, meaning the 28-year-old was allowed to continue.
He will therefore be available for this weekend’s Carabao Cup final, but Gallagher believes a major mistake has been made.
Dermot Gallagher says Marcel Sabitzer should have been sent off
The former referee has spoke about the incident on Sky Sports News on Monday morning, and was asked whether or not he thought Sabitzer should have seen red.
“Extremely lucky [not to be sent off],” Gallagher said.
“I think it’s a red card. If you put your studs into somebody’s knee at that height – I just think it’s dangerous.”
If Sabitzer had been sent off, it would have meant he was banned for the upcoming game at Wembley. But, incredibly, he will be allowed to play, unlike Newcastle’s first choice stopper.
Gallagher agrees with Nick Pope red
The ex official also gave his view on the Pope incident. He was penalised for using his hands outside his area, thus denying Mo Salah the chance to score.
“Red card, denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity,” Gallagher said.
“If he hadn’t handled the ball, Salah would be in control of the ball. He’d go directly towards goal.”
Gallagher also disputed suggestions that there was a covering defender which could have spared Pope’s blushes.
It would have been a real shock if Pope hadn’t been sent off. It is just agonizing when you consider the timing. Eddie Howe will therefore have to change his keeper for the final, with Loris Karius in line to make his debut.
He will be the man tasked with keeping Manchester United at bay, including Sabitzer who will be available for selection despite his horror challenge on Sunday.
There is no questioning Pope’s suspension, but it seems mad that he will miss out on the final due to merely touching it with his hand outside the box while Sabitzer is allowed to play after endangering an opponent.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
