Official Newcastle United explanation on Anthony Gordon red card appeal decision | OneFootball

In the immediate aftermath of the Brighton match and the sending off of Anthony Gordon, Eddie Howe raised the possibility that Newcastle United could appeal the red card three match ban.

However, he did also say (see below) at that point he hadn’t seen replays of the incident, so was keeping an open mind on it.

Newcastle United potentially, either appealing totally against the red card, or try to reduce the three match ban to a one game suspension, which of course would then allow Anthony Gordon to play at Wembley.

Now we have been given the official Newcastle United explanation of why NUFC didn’t appeal the Anthony Gordon red card and three game suspension.

The Newcastle United Head Coach detailing the process.

Eddie Howe giving the official Newcastle United standpoint on that Anthony Gordon red card appeal decision – 7 March 2025:

“We discussed it as a club.

“With the people that we needed to discuss it with, lawyers etcetera.

“We felt that there probably wasn’t sufficient grounds [to win an appeal].

“There was no intention from Anthony Gordon.

“Without going into too much detail on the actual event itself, I think the Brighton player sort of bends down and it makes the push look worse.

“There is no intention from Anthony to hurt anybody.

“But you have to look at it and think ‘does this [appeal] have a chance of being successful?’

“If there is no chance of being successful, what is the point of appealing?

“So Anthony understands [why Newcastle United didn’t make an appeal.”

If Newcastle United had put an appeal in, always the chance the three match ban could have been increased, if it was felt NUFC were putting in a pointless appeal with no real chance of succeeding.

Eddie Howe on the Anthony Gordon sending off, speaking straight after that Brighton match on Sunday – 2 March 2025:

“I have only seen it live.

“So it is very difficult to form an opinion.

“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.

“In that moment, I don’t know quite what’s happened, so I will have to review it properly before forming my opinion.

“I wasn’t aware initially [That the red card could rule Anthony Gordon out of the Cup final], as my focus was so absorbed trying to win the game, but if that is the case, then I am desperately disappointed for him and for the team.

“Knowing the player, I know there’s no malice intended there.

“Of course, we will reserve the right to put in an appeal.

“We will analyse the incident and if we feel there are grounds for that [appealing], then we will do it without hesitation.

“If Anthony is missing the game, then of course that would be a big blow to us.

“As always though, when someone suffers a misfortune in that way, it is somebody else’s opportunity.

“That’s what we have a squad for, 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 that in his absence, he would want us to carry on, be really strong, try to win the game [Carabao Cup Final].”

The remaining Newcastle United match schedule:

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final Sky Sports

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 26 April – Newcastle v Ipswich (3pm)

Saturday 3 May – Brighton v Newcastle TBC

Saturday 10 May – Newcastle v Chelsea TBC