Newcastle United were unhappy with a highly controversial VAR decision earlier this season, and they could be made to face the same opposition from that match in the Champions League soon
Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe will be hoping there's no controversy in the Magpies last 16 clash in the Champions League.
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Newcastle United will face a Champions League rematch against Barcelona or Chelsea after reaching the round of 16 in Europe's elite competition.
The Magpies faced Barcelona in the opening fixture of this season's European campaign, but were beaten 2-1 on home soil with Marcus Rashford scoring a brace for the visitors.
Eddie Howe's side have also played Chelsea already this season in the Premier League, which finished 2-2 at St. James' Park, but the match was shrouded in controversy.
The Magpies went in search of answers after Anthony Gordon was floored by Trevoh Chalobah at the Gallowgate End midway through the second half.
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Newcastle were leading 2-1 at the time of the incident - after Reece James halved the deficit following a first-half brace from Nick Woltemade - when referee Andy Madley's failure to point to the spot allowed the Blues to regroup and snatch an equaliser.
Since then, former officials including Mark Halsey and Dermot Gallagher have been unequivocal in their assessment that a penalty should have been awarded had the rules been correctly applied.
Howe was questioned over whether the club had contacted the Professional Game Match Official Limited to seek an explanation for the decision and why VAR had also failed to intervene.
The fact that a review of the incident failed to produce the correct outcome, despite the sophisticated technology available in the modern game, only deepened the frustration for Howe and Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United is challenged in the box by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah but their appeal for a penalty is turned down
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United is challenged in the box by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah but their appeal for a penalty is turned down
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Howe, speaking at a press conference following the incident, he said: "Yes, we will be seeking clarification [from PGMOL] and those calls have already gone in, not from me personally but from the club.
"We just want to know the thought process behind the decisions."
Howe was then asked if Newcastle stars could act with more force in similar situations with no fear of repercussions, but he said: "I wouldn't want to train them to deliver that kind of challenges in the box because you are going to give the referees a decision to make.
"I think one of the arts of defending is not to put yourself in that position. I thought, and I still do, it was a clear penalty having reviewed it, and I have not changed my mind."
Both Chelsea and Barcelona qualified in the top eight during the league phase of the competition, meaning they automatically qualified for the last 16 and will have the second leg on home soil.
The Magpies will find out their opponent in the draw for the last 16, which takes place in Nyon from 11am on Friday morning, which will also map out their potential route to the final in Budapest on May 30.
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