NEWCASTLE UNITED are considering launching an appeal against the red card that will keep Anthony Gordon out of this month’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Gordon received a straight red card as Newcastle crashed out of the FA Cup via an extra-time defeat to Brighton, with the England international dismissed after raising his hands to push Seagulls defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.
The offence carries a mandatory three-game ban, which will rule Gordon out of the Wembley final with Liverpool in just under a fortnight’s time as well as the league matches against West Ham and Brentford.
However, with Eddie Howe adamant that the winger did not intend to harm van Hecke, the Newcastle hierarchy will review the incident before deciding whether to launch an appeal that could hand Gordon a Wembley lifeline.
“I’ve only seen it live, so it’s very difficult to form an opinion,” said the Newcastle boss. “From what I saw on the pitch, I don’t know what Anthony’s intention was, but I’m sure it wasn’t to harm the player or get the red card. In that moment, I don’t know quite what’s happened, so I have to review it properly before forming my opinion.
“To be honest, I wasn’t aware initially (that it would rule Gordon out of the final). My focus was so absorbed on the game and trying to win. If that is the case, then I’m desperately disappointed for him and for the team.
“Knowing the player, I know there’s no malice intended there. Of course, we’ll reserve the right to put in an appeal. If we analyse the incident and feel there’s grounds for that, then we will do it without hesitation.”
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The incident has parallels to the dismissal that kept Nick Pope out of the Carabao Cup final two years ago, with the goalkeeper seeing red for handling outside the area against Liverpool and subsequently having to sit out Newcastle’s Wembley defeat to Manchester United.
Back then, Pope’s absence became something of a sideshow that overshadowed much of the build-up to the final. The situation with Gordon is different – the impact of Pope’s absence was exacerbated by Martin Dubravka being cup-tied, which meant Newcastle had to turn to third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius - but Howe accepts the England international’s absence will have to be carefully handled if his suspension is confirmed.
“I don’t think you’ll allow me for it not to be a distraction, to a degree,” said Howe. “But I think it’s most important what we discuss internally. We’ll review the incident first, then we’ll have a discussion with Anthony to make sure that he’s okay.
“If Anthony is missing the game, then of course that would be a big blow to us. But as always, when someone suffers a misfortune in that way, it’s someone else’s opportunity. That’s what we have a squad for, and that’s what we have very good players for.
“We have to look at it that way, and I’m sure Anthony would want us to look at it that way. I’m sure, in his absence, he would want us to carry on, be really strong and try to win the game.”
