Newcastle United release a statement that no club should have to do in 2023

Newcastle United's victory over Arsenal yesterday is still the talk of the footballing world this morning after some questionable decisions by the officials.

The game lit up like Times Square midway through the first half when Kai Havertz flung himself at Sean Longstaff with Newcastle fans, players and staff all calling for referee Stuart Atwell to brandish a red card.

VAR checked the challenge and ruled it to be "reckless rather than dangerous" and the yellow card stood, however, Newcastle picked up three bookings off the back of it for protesting. It was clear at this point that referee Stuart Atwell had lost control of the game.

Bruno Guimaraes then appeared to deliberately elbow Jorginho in the back of the head, but both the referee and VAR opted to take no further action.

The match officials had a bad day at the office

In the 64th minute, United took the lead. Jacob Murphy fired a ball across the face of goal which Joe Willock hunted down and just, and we do mean just, kept the ball in play before crossing for Joelinton to nod down for Anthony Gordon to poke home.

VAR then took four minutes to give the goal, checking whether the former Arsenal man, Joe Willock, had kept the ball in play, then whether Joelinton fouled Gabriel in the box and if Anthony Gordon was offside. VAR could find no clear angle to give a definitive answer to any incident and the goal stood.

There was also another incident involving Bruno Guimaraes which saw the Brazilian booked but by then, he really shouldn't even have been on the pitch.

Naturally, Arsenal fans felt aggrieved after the farcical decisions by the referee but some chose to take their frustrations out in the wrong way, going online to dish out racist abuse to Bruno Guimaraes and their former player, Joe Willock.

Robbie Jay Barratt via Getty Images

It's 2023 and clubs are having to put out statements like this. It's sickening.

As a result, Newcastle United today had to release a brief statement on the issues via their official website.

"Our message is clear. There is no room for racism in football or society.

"We are providing support to Bruno and Joe and will work with relevant authorities and social media platforms to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account."

Frankly, we find it baffling that this is still going on in 2023. How can people still be so ignorant and so evil? We know it's just a couple of loudmouth individuals so we're by no means tarring every Arsenal fan with the same brush, but honestly, what were they thinking?

Arsenal have Brazilian players, they have black players. What will they be thinking? It's not even the first time this has happened with Joelinton getting similar abuse from Arsenal fans last season too.

There is no room for stuff like this in the modern world and hopefully, those few who are ruining it for the rest of us get caught and dealt with accordingly.