PGMOL insider highlights clear protocol that will enrage Newcastle fans after Fabian Schar injury
Simon Hooper and his team of officials at the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Liverpool should have stopped the game as soon as Fabian Schar suffered a head injury.
Schar was substituted in the 81st minute, while Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-2 thanks to Rio Ngumoha’s last-gasp winner.
The clash between the Magpies and the Reds was a highly charged one, as Anthony Gordon received a red card for a late tackle on Virgil van Dijk.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Newcastle came back from 2-0 down to level the scores at 2-2 before 16-year-old Ngumoha earned all three points for Arne Slot’s men.
Newcastle v Liverpool should have been stopped for Fabian Schar’s head injury
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
Schar suffered a head injury in the 78th minute of Newcastle’s defeat to Liverpool and was attended to by the Magpies’ medics.
However, the defender was swiftly cleared to play on shortly before leaving the field of play due to the knock he suffered.
Keith Hackett believes that the Fabian Schar situation was not handled correctly
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett revealed: “There is a clear protocol regarding head injuries to players. Match officials should be alert when a player goes to ground with a potential head injury.
“If the referee has missed it and not stopped the game, then you want the assistants, fourth official to use their buzzer or communication kits to communicate with the referee who should stop the game. Player’s safety a priority.”
Newcastle are yet to win in the Premier League this term, which they will look to rectify when they face Leeds United on Saturday, 30 August.