Newcastle fans are left raging at referee appointment for crunch Brighton tie

Newcastle have been left fuming with the appointment of referee Robert Jones for their crunch Premier League tie against Brighton on Thursday.

Jones has been given the task of oversees proceedings in the Magpies' latest match in their bid to secure Champions League football, with three games remaining for Eddie Howe's side this season.

The problem, however, is that Jones is part of the Wirral FA and from Merseyside - the home of fifth place Liverpool, who are in fine form themselves with seven wins in a row and hot on the heels of Newcastle in the race for the top four.

"Nah, this isn't on," said one angry Newcastle supporter. "I'm sure the club has it all in hand but there's no way a game of this magnitude should be going ahead with a Scouse ref in charge.

"He may not even support Liverpool but there's always a chance that his friends/family members do."

"The Premier League is 100 per cent corrupt," said another, while a third added: "Not really a surprise to be fair."

Jones is relatively new to the Premier League, having officiated 46 games so far in his top flight career. In that time he's shown three red cards and 156 yellow cards.

In the two Newcastle games Jones has reffed this season, however, the Magpies have come out 1-0 winners in both, against Chelsea and then Fulham at St James' Park.

It does however seem bizarre that the Premier League would make the appointment at such a crucial stage of the season, with ramifications of the result, whatever that may be, obvious.

Referee Robert Jones during the Premier League match at St Mary's, Southampton. (Alamy)

Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool but with a game in hand.

They could all but secure their status in next year's Champions League if they beat Brighton, who themselves have European aspirations after their own successful season.

The Seagulls are sixth in the Premier League and have played two games fewer than rivals Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa, and are looking to secure a spot in the Europa League next term.