Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini has weekend red card overturned

Newcastle have successfully appealed Fabricio Coloccini’s red card in the Tyne-Wear derby, although the Football Association has charged the club with failing to control their players in the aftermath of that decision in the defeat to Sunderland.

Tempers frayed at the Stadium of Light after the Magpies captain was given a straight red card in first-half injury time, having appeared to bundle over Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher as he raced towards goal. Newcastle lodged an appeal after the 3-0 loss for wrongful dismissal, something the FA accepted.  Coloccini will not have to serve a one-match ban.

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The club have, though, been charged with failing to control their players after they furiously harangued referee Robert Madley. An FA statement read:

“Fabricio Coloccini will not serve a one-match suspension after his wrongful dismissal claim was successful.

“An Independent Regulatory Commission found that the match referee had made an obvious error in dismissing the Newcastle United defender for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity during the game against Sunderland on Sunday 25 October 2015.

“Newcastle United have been charged for failing to control their players in relation to their reaction to the match referee’s decision.

“The club have until 6pm on 30 October 2015 to respond to the charge.”

Newcastle’s successful appeal means Coloccini will now be available for Saturday’s home Premier League fixture against Stoke.

It is a boost for Steve McClaren’s side, but the bitter taste of the game-changing sending-off will remain. Newcastle had been on top at the Stadium of Light until the decision, which allowed Adam Johnson to slot home from the penalty spot. Billy Jones tapped home a second with 25 minutes remaining and Steven Fletcher added a third as Sunderland recorded a sixth successive derby win.