Andre Marriner is set to referee Newcastle United’s game against Brighton on Saturday and Magpies fans are not happy.
The Toon Army have expressed a dislike for the referee in the past and many are already fearing the worst:
Fans react to Andre Marriner’s appointment as referee
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Why do Newcastle fans dislike Marriner so much?
Marriner’s refereeing record for Newcastle is certainly grim reading for any fan.
Marriner has refereed 38 games for Newcastle in which they have won 11 games, drawn 10 and lost 17.
Most notably, Marriner has sent off seven Newcastle players in those matches.
He has only given Sunderland as many red cards across his career, making the north-east clubs the joint-worst for Marriner dismissals.
Newcastle United have also never been awarded a penalty in matches which Marriner has overseen. He has however, given four penalties to opposing teams.
Saturday will be the second time he has refereed the Toon this season, having also taken charge of last month’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.
Marriner had a quiet game in which he only gave two bookings – yellow cards for DeAndre Yedlin and James Tomkins, respectively.
He will be looking to have another non-controversial game this weekend to help improve his standing with Newcastle fans.
Rafa’s comments on Marriner
Marriner’s selection comes shortly after Rafa Benitez was fined by the FA this month for comments he made about the referee.
Prior to their match with Crystal Palace last month, Benitez said in his press conference: “I have confidence in Andre Marriner, he is an experienced referee, even if his record with our players is not the best in terms of red cards.”
The FA ruled Benitez to have broken rules regarding comments to the media about match officials prior to a fixture.
While Benitez might have ‘confidence’ in Marriner, most Newcastle fans don’t. Let’s just pray that come Saturday afternoon, we’re toasting a first win of the season rather than bemoaning another referee horror-show.