Newcastle United were unhappy with the choice of official for tomorrow night’s Championship game at home to Preston.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez spoke to reporters during his pre-match press conference, and expressed his dismay at the EFL’s appointment of Huddersfield-born referee Andrew Madley to officiate his side’s game against Preston North-End tomorrow night, as quoted by the Chronicle.
A win for Newcastle against Simon Grayson’s men will secure their promotion to the Premier League, and the Spaniard will want his side to wrap things up sooner rather than later.
Benitez spoke to reporters during his pre-match press conference, choosing to highlight the strange decision from the EFL regarding Madley’s appointment, explained how the Tynesiders even made a special request to the Football League to suggest that another referee be chosen to officiate the game, as quoted by the Chronicle:
“I was really surprised with that situation. We have to trust the referees. We have not had a lot of luck with them. I always trust the referees, and hopefully everything will be fine and we are not talking about the referees at the end of the game. We were asking the EFL whether they could make a change and they say that they are happy with it and we have to carry on.”
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Either way, it does seem like a strange decision for the Football League to appoint the 33-year-old, whose father is a declared Terriers fan.
Madley will now be put under unnecessary pressure, and will surely be criticised from either Newcastle or Huddersfield fans, unless he puts in an absolutely flawless display.
The EFL will be hoping that the game takes place without any incident from an officiating stand-point, for their own sake, as well as Madley’s.
Andrew Madley showing a red card
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