Ex-Prem ref says Nick Pope’s ban should be delayed so he can play in Carabao Cup final

Nick Pope’s red card ban should be delayed by the authorities so he can play for Newcastle against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final, says Keith Hackett.

The former Premier League referee thinks it’s too harsh that the England stopper with miss the final after being dismissed against Liverpool due to a handball, saying it should be delayed.

Hackett wrote on Twitter: “Football can be very cruel and sadly because of a few seconds of almost doing something naturally Nick Pope Newcastle GK misses a final.

READ MORE: Heartbroken Newcastle fan ‘puts dog for sale’ on Facebook after it chews Wembley tickets

“The referee was correct to dismiss Pope. The authorities should delay the sanction to enable Pope to play. There I have said it.”

Hackett, 78, is ranked as one of the top 100 referees of all time by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, but not everyone agrees.

One said: “Im a Newcastle fan and gutted Nick Pope is missing out on the final, but if thats the rules then thats what should be applied as harsh as it is.”

Is the ban harsh on Nick Pope? Tell us in the comments section below.

A second added: “Why should they let him play? why shouldn’t all red cards be delayed to let people play in games then, let them serve a suspension whenever they like?”

Gary Lineker has also called for a change in the rules, with cards in domestic fixtures being carried across the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup, which he doesn’t like.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Lineker said: “The one thing I will say though is he’s getting a one-game ban, it’s in a competition that’s different.

“He’s going to miss the cup final now, that seems disproportionate and wasn’t Joelinton on nine yellows?

“If he’d got another, he would have missed two games but not the Carabao Cup final.

“That’s an anomaly, why is that? Come on, let him play in the cup final! He’s been brilliant this season.”

READ NEXT: