Newcastle United host Brentford this week.Newcastle United host Brentford this week.
Newcastle United host Brentford this week. | AFP via Getty Images
The Premier League has confirmed that Peter Bankes will referee the match between Newcastle United and Brentford this week.
Brentford make the long trip to Tyneside on Wednesday night to take on Newcastle United in a first match back from international action as the Premier League whirrs into life for the run-in.
The hosts will be buoyed by their memorable Carabao Cup win earlier this month and have only lost to the Bees once since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021. That did come earlier this season as Thomas Frank’s men recorded a 4-2 win on home turf, but the Magpies have already beaten Brentford at St James’ Park this term with a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory in December.
Newcastle United continue to press for Champions League qualification with plenty to play for, while Brentford are chasing a first ever top half finish. The west London side currently sit 11th in the table.
Premier League confirms Newcastle United vs Brentford referee
The Premier League has confirmed that the referee at St James’ Park on Wednesday night will be Peter Bankes. Brentford supporters will not need reminding of the tense recent history that Bankes has had with the team.
In January 2022, Bees boss Frank accepted a £8,000 fine after being sent off at the end of a 2-1 defeat to Wolves at the Gtech. That came after Frank confronted Bankes, who refereed that game.
The manager accepted an FA charge of improper behaviour. A Brentford statement at the time read: “Brentford FC head coach Thomas Frank has accepted a Football Association fine.
“Thomas was charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following Brentford's Premier League against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday, 22 January. Thomas admitted the charge and accepted the standard penalty. He was given an £8,000 fine. The FA charge was that Thomas' language and/or behaviour towards referee Peter Bankes after the final whistle was improper. Thomas accepted this charge, and the financial penalty. Brentford FC has no further comment to make on the matter.”
There were plenty of causes for drama in that fixture three years ago. The match was famously stopped in the first half when a drone was spotted and Wolves defender Tito saw a red card overturned by Bankes in the second half after being told to do so by VAR.
Thomas Frank apologises for Peter Bankes frustration
Speaking after the game, Frank said: "I was frustrated we didn't get a point but I was relatively calm and there was a situation which triggered it.
"I got a yellow card after a confrontation with a Wolves player, then I turned round to Peter and said 'you can give me a second one as well'. He said it was because I was turning around and too aggressive. I want the players to control their emotions and not get silly cards so it's disappointing I could not control my emotions."
Newcastle United have also had their qualms with Bankes in the past. Brighton beat the Magpies 1-0 at St James’ Park earlier this season and Newcastle United supporters will remember not being awarded a penalty in that game.
The North East outfit felt they should have had a penalty for a Joel Veltman handball after just eight minutes but Bankes waved away the claims, as did VAR. Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe admitted he hadn’t seen the situation but said: "I haven't seen it back. A couple of our coaches have and they're adamant it was a penalty.
"If I look at it back and have the same view as the coaches it will be a huge frustration because we were totally dominant at that point.
"When you have that start in a game you want a goal for your endeavours. That was all that was missing in the first 35 minutes. If we were 2-0 up we'd have thought it was one of our best performances in a long time. Goals change perceptions of performances and I have to keep some kind of perspective on that."
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