On August 27, 2025, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg ignited controversy by accusing referee Simon Hooper of a “wrong decision” during Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United on August 25, per web:0. The call, which allowed Liverpool’s late winner by 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, has sparked outrage among Newcastle fans and a frenzy on X, with Clattenburg’s claims fueling debate over whether the Reds’ win was tainted.

The pivotal moment came when Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes was fouled by Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, already on a yellow card, during a breakaway. Clattenburg, speaking to Geordie Boot Boys, argued, “Konaté’s clear push was a foul and a second yellow,” per web:1. Hooper’s failure to act, with VAR not intervening, allowed Liverpool to maintain 11 players, leading to Ngumoha’s 100th-minute goal, per web:0. X users, like @ToonFan22, raged, “Robbed again!” while #Clattenburg trending.

Newcastle’s 2-1 lead, with goals from Bruno Guimarães and William Osula, collapsed after Anthony Gordon’s red card and Hugo Ekitike’s strike, per web:20. Clattenburg, a Newcastle fan, insisted the non-call shifted momentum, per web:1. Liverpool’s Arne Slot dismissed the claim, saying, “We deserved it,” per The Athletic. Fans on X, like @LFCVibes, countered, “Clattenburg’s biased!” citing his history with the club, per web:2.

The controversy, viewed by 3 million, per Nielsen, adds to refereeing scrutiny, with Clattenburg’s past critiques, like his 2024 Nottingham Forest comments, per web:6, lending weight. Critics, like @RefWatch88, argued, “VAR should’ve fixed it,” while supporters of the call noted the subjective nature, per web:0. Newcastle’s push for a formal complaint, per web:1, echoes their 2024 grievances, per web:6.

As Liverpool’s 3-2 win cements their title charge, Clattenburg’s accusation keeps the debate alive. Was it a refereeing blunder or fair play? With X buzzing and Newcastle fuming, this controversy underscores the Premier League’s high stakes.