Watch out Fabian Schar as Premier League make announcement before Brighton vs Newcastle United

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Newcastle United head to Brighton on Sunday as they aim to take another giant step towards Champions League qualification.

The Magpies are in a very strong position with four games to go, having moved up to third in the table. Newcastle’s win over Ipswich Town settled some nerves after the Aston Villa defeat.

Now Eddie Howe’s side are preparing for their penultimate away game of the season, as they get set to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Newcastle United have taken on Fabian Hurzeler’s side twice this campaign, and lost on both occasions – including in the FA Cup fifth round.

Both of those games were at St James’ Park, whereas this time Newcastle are off to the south coast to a ground where they have not won since February 2017.

Brighton vs Newcastle United referee confirmed

Ahead of that game, the Premier League have confirmed who will be the man in the middle.

Craig Pawson is set to referee Newcastle’s next game, with Andy Madley on VAR duty.

It will be the fourth time that Pawson has officiated a Toon game this season. His other appearances involving Newcastle United were the 1-0 win over Southampton, the 0-0 draw with Everton and the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United.

Fabian Schar was sent off for ‘moment of madness’

One of those games will stick out for Fabian Schar.

On the opening day of the 2024/25 season, Newcastle United welcomed newly-promoted Southampton to St James’ Park.

Schar was in Eddie Howe’s starting XI, but his afternoon only lasted 28 minutes.

The Swiss centre-back was involved in an altercation with Ben Brereton Diaz after the Southampton attacker barged into his back.

An angry Schar then went head-to-head with Brereton Diaz, who subsequently flung himself to the ground. It was described by Russell Martin as a ‘moment of madness’ from Schar, who was given a red card by Craig Pawson.

The replays highlighted what a terrible decision it was, with former referee Mike Dean calling it a ‘soft’ red card.

Alan Shearer was much firmer in his verdict, admitting it was ‘pathetic behaviour from Brereton Diaz’.

He conned the referee, who decided to send Schar off. Newcastle were forced to play for an hour with 10-men, while the 33-year-old was suspended for the next three games.