Manchester City vs Newcastle United: The FA Cup match officials have been announced.
The FA Cup quarter-final match officials have been named for Manchester City’s encounter against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off).
Simon Hooper will referee the encounter as Newcastle aim to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 19 years. The Magpies advanced to the competition’s last eight after defeating Sunderland 3-0, Fulham 2-0, and Blackburn Rovers in a penalty shootout.
But the Magpies now face holders Manchester City, who have beaten them every time they have visited the Etihad Stadium since Pep Guardiola took over. Newcastle’s lone previous success at the Etihad Stadium was a 2-0 League Cup victory over Manchester City in 2014.
Hooper’s previous match officiating for Newcastle was in November, when Eddie Howe’s team defeated Chelsea 4-1 at St. James’ Park. Hooper sent Chelsea right-back Reece James out in the dying moments for a second bookable offence, earning him a one-match punishment.
Hooper became embroiled in a refereeing dispute earlier this season, following Tottenham Hotspur’s contentious 2-1 victory against Liverpool in September. He was the referee for the match in which Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent off, and a Luis Diaz goal was mistakenly disallowed for offside due to a huge VAR error.
Spurs eventually won thanks to a Joel Matip own goal in the 96th minute. PGMOL admitted there were errors in the match, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp requested a rematch, but the result held.
Hooper will be accompanied by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long, with Craig Pawson serving as the fourth official. Thomas Bramall will be the match’s VAR, assisted by Neil Davies and Jarred Gillett.
Newcastle will be trying to rebound from their 3-2 Premier League setback at Chelsea last time out. The Magpies’ previous meeting with Manchester City ended 3-2, with Oscar Bobb scoring in stoppage time at St James’ Park.
