NEWCASTLE UNITED fans have been left worried about their chances in the Carabao Cup final after the referee for the fixture was announced.
The Magpies must overcome Manchester United in the final on February 26 for a chance to pick up the club’s first silverware since 1955.
GettyEddie Howe has guided Newcastle to a first cup final since 1999[/caption]
AFPNewcastle fans weren’t happy upon learning who will officiate the Carabao Cup final[/caption]
GettyDavid Coote has been announced as the whistler for the match[/caption]
However, fans weren’t happy after PGMOL announced David Coote would whistle the fixture.
And one livid Newcastle fan said: “Is this a joke? David Coote who apparently supports Man United? That David Coote?
“The guy who screwed us over at Stamford Bridge last season? The same David Coote? Do they pick the name out of a hat FFS?”
A second fan said: “Surely the club can contest that in the interest of fairness if he is a Man Utd fan. Absolutely shocking appointment.”
A third slammed: “Poor poor referee.”
“Literally can’t believe it,” added a fourth.
Despite rumours suggesting Coote is a Man Utd fan, there is no official confirmation for this.
Furthermore, given refs cannot officiate games of the teams they support, such as Michael Oliver being banned due to supporting Newcastle, it should check either club off the list of who he supports.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
The last time he was the main official in a Newcastle game saw Coote on the end of criticism for failing to dismiss Kai Havertz for an elbow on Dan Burn during the club’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea in March last year.
Indeed, Newcastle’s overall win record when Coote officiates them sits at a paltry 36.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, cup rivals Man Utd are yet to lose a match with Coote as the main ref, and have a 75 per cent win rate when the 40-year-old has whistled their games, including two this season.
He has overseen 16 Premier League matches so far this season and but has brandished a red card just once – for Joao Felix’s shocking challenge in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss at Fulham.