All four officials involved in Newcastle penalty mistake replaced this weekend
Thursday 6 April 2017 18:05, UK
All four officials from Wednesday's controversial match between Newcastle and Burton have been removed from their scheduled fixtures this weekend, Sky Sports News HQ understands.
Referee Keith Stroud will be replaced as the official of this weekend's match between Gillingham and Millwall as officials consider the penalty error he made in Wednesday's match at St James' Park.
The 47-year-old awarded Burton a free-kick after ruling Dwight Gayle had encroached beyond the 18-yard line before Matt Ritchie's successful spot-kick.
But an indirect free-kick is awarded for attacking encroachment only if the penalty is missed, and the spot-kick should instead have been retaken in accordance with football's Law 14.
Sky Sports News HQ understands that Premier League ref's chief Mike Riley has spoken to Stroud this morning, who is understood to remain "distraught" over his mistake.
Wednesday's fourth official Tony Harrington was due to referee at Scunthorpe's crucial Sky Bet League One match again Bolton on Saturday. Matthew McGrath, one of last night's assistant refs, was also due to officiate at Glanford Park.
Meanwhile, assistant referee David Avent was due to run the line at Nottingham Forest's home tie against Huddersfield Town.
All three officials, along with Stroud, have been stood down. At this stage, it is not known how long they will remain without fixtures to officiate.
Stroud, McGrath and Harrington took part in various discussions by the touchline for four-and-a-half-minutes. What exactly they were discussing remains unclear, given that the original decision stood and no players were booked.
A PGMOL source told Sky Sports News HQ: "Keith has been a remarkably consistent performer at this level over a number of years and his experience is valued by the clubs.
"It's not a case that he doesn't know the rules. Simply put, he had a lapse in concentration. After the game he held his hands up and was deeply apologetic to all those involved."
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