Ex-refs chief blasts 'unsporting' Fermin Lopez as Newcastle fans fume over Barcelona controversy

Newcastle United supporters have every right to be furious after Fermin Lopez avoided a key caution for Barcelona.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Marco Guida failed to punish the Spaniard appropriately on Tuesday, 10 March.

The officials appeared to let a lot go at St James' Park, but not showing a yellow card to Lopez could have further repercussions, given that one more caution would have seen him suspended for the second leg.

Newcastle must now face Barcelona at the Nou Camp next week, but after Sandro Tonali was cautioned for a similar offence in the first leg, home supporters are voicing their frustrations on social media.

Newcastle fans rightly furious as Fermin Lopez avoids suspension

Several fans have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, with very few understanding why the talented 22-year-old will not be suspended for the second leg in Spain.

Hackett fully understands their concerns, explaining exactly why it was a "nailed-on" caution.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "That is a clear act of unsporting behaviour, stopping a promising attack. It's a nailed-on yellow card that the referee ducked".

Many believe that Lamine Yamal should have also seen yellow, also crashing into a challenge on left-back Lewis Hall, but the referee did nothing to minimise the challenges on Newcastle players.

What else did Marco Guida get wrong at St James' Park?

A yellow card for Yamal would have also ruled the superstar winger out of the second leg, so that is already frustrating enough, given that he scored Barcelona's late equaliser from the spot.

Tonali, who could soon leave Newcastle due to building interest ahead of the summer, can also feel very hard done by to pick up a caution in just the 34th minute.

The Italian international had made zero fouls before a coming together with Raphina, and after the referee allowed earlier challenges to go unpunished, the home crowd expected the same here.

Sadly, the midfielder was forced to walk a tightrope for the remainder of the game, with Guida showing no leniency towards the Premier League star.