A group of angry Newcastle United supporters have launched a bizarre campaign calling for referee Rob Jones to be taken off officiating duty for their Premier League game with Brighton after discovering he resides on Merseyside.
Jones has been appointed as the referee for the Magpies' must-win Premier League clash against the Seagulls on Thursday evening, with Eddie Howe's side knowing they must bounce back from their disappointing draw at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon if they are to keep Liverpool at arm's length in the race for Champions League qualification.
And after the Premier League announced the appointment of Jones for the fixture at St James' Park, some supporters took to social media to express their concern ahead of the clash with the referee being a member of the Wirral FA.
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Jones will be joined by linesmen Ian Hussin and Wade Smith, with Thomas Bramall as the fourth official and Jarred Gillett as the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.
However, the bizarre panic from Newcastle supporters is no different to Michael Oliver, who is a well-known Magpies supporter and is regularly snapped attending St James' Park - as pointed out by Reds supporters online, taking charge of games involving Liverpool.
In fact, Olivier refereed the Reds as recently as last month when Nottingham Forest looked to stifle Jurgen Klopp's side's late-season charge for Champions League qualification but goals from Diogo Jota (2) and Mohamed Salah secured a vitally important three points at Anfield.
As it stands, Liverpool are one point behind and two places behind the Magpies, who have played a game less. The St James' Park outfit face Brighton, Leicester City and Chelsea in their final games of the season and know there is little room for error with Liverpool currently in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
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