Newcastle: Hackett Says Elanga Deserved Yellow for Barcelona Dive
Newcastle United suffered a heavy 7-2 defeat at the Camp Nou on 18 March 2026. The result likely ends their Champions League run for the foreseeable future.
Referee decision and VAR review
The contentious moment came in the 38th minute. Anthony Elanga went down after contact from Joao Cancelo following Kieran Trippier’s pass.
Referee Francois Letexier declined to award a penalty. VAR official Bram van Driessche upheld that decision on review.
Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Filmogaz.com that Letexier made the right call. Hackett also said Elanga deserved yellow for simulation after the Barcelona dive.
Match impact and player performance
Elanga nonetheless scored both Newcastle goals at the Camp Nou. His first-half work had troubled Cancelo at times.
However, Hackett judged the forward’s reaction to the challenge as excessive. He said the incident merited a caution for attempting to deceive the officials.
| Minutes played | Goals | Accurate passes | Chances created | Touches in box | Ground duels won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 2 | 8/14 | 1 | 3 | 0/2 |
Season context and transfer talk
Elanga joined Newcastle for £55 million from Nottingham Forest last summer. His two goals in Barcelona were his first in this season’s Champions League across ten appearances.
He has only scored once more in 33 other matches this campaign. That record has prompted fresh scrutiny of his future at the club.
Financial pressures at St James’ Park
Sources told Filmogaz.com that Newcastle plan to raise season ticket prices next term. The club will prepare for life without European revenue.
Sale of players, including Elanga, has been mooted as a way to raise funds. Critics argue he has struggled to adapt to Eddie Howe’s system this season.
