'There Is Severe Doubt' - Keith Hackett analyses Newcastle-Barcelona sending-off controversy
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Credit: Imago, Stan Sports Thu 19 March 2026 11:59, UK Newcastle United captain Kieran Trippier was not sent off because his foul on Barcelona star Raphinha did not fulfil the criteria for denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that Trippier only deserved a booking as he gave away a penalty in Newcastle’s thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League.The 35-year-old hauled Raphinha down in his own area in added time at the end of the first half, but referee Francois Letexier was unmoved and decided against awarding a spot kick to the hosts.VAR soon got involved, and the French referee reviewed the incident and changed his call, with Trippier then booked as Lamine Yamal dispatched past Aaron Ramsdale.Newcastle’s next Champions League match may not be for a while, after the game completely changed due to Trippier’s foul and they were beaten 7-2 at Camp Nou. ⚽ Newcastle Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Newcastle United fixture.
VISIT THE NEWCASTLE MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett says Kieran Trippier did not deserve red for Raphinha foulTrippier was taken off at half-time by Eddie Howe to save himself from picking up a red card, but Tino Livramento’s introduction did little to stop Barca as they hit four goals without reply in the second period.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty and Trippier’s yellow, ex-refereeing chief Hackett insisted that the referee and VAR came to the right conclusion with both decisions.Minutes played53′Penalties conceded1Accurate passes17/24Defensive contributions1Ground duels won0/3Aerial duels won0/1Dribbled past2Possession lost7Trippier’s stats vs BarcelonaHe said: “Trippier is holding his opponent, and it is a foul for which a penalty kick is the correct decision.“The referee has correctly judged that the offence has not denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity and a yellow card for unsporting behaviour is the correct decision also.“It is not a DOGSO offence because there is severe doubt that the criteria is fulfilled. “The following must be considered: distance between the offence and the goal, general direction of the play, likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, location and number of defenders“The player’s likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball is the clincher that rules out DOGSO.”Trippier’s Camp Nou shocker may have decided his contract fate at NewcastleTrippier is out of contract at Newcastle this summer, and a poor showing like the one he put in on Wednesday could well be detrimental to his chances of signing a new deal.😱 HUGE DRAMA AT CAMP NOU!!!Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Kieran Trippier drags down Raphinha in the area, with the Newcastle defender only receiving a yellow card, before Lamine Yamal just finds the back of the net from the spot.Should Kieran Trippier have seen red… pic.twitter.com/j4c4n1VwzI— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) March 18, 2026 View Tweet He failed to deal with Raphinha throughout the first half, particularly on the transition, as his lack of pace was exploited by the speedy Brazilian forward.Sources have told Football Insider that Trippier wants a new contract, but it is clear that he is not operating at the highest level anymore.Magpies boss Howe will surely take this shoddy showing into account when it comes to deciding whether the 35-year-old should be offered fresh terms, but a lot could also depend on Livramento’s future, as he is heavily linked to Man City.
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