Newcastle United Launch Investigation After Mascot Incident at Anfield
Newcastle United club officials have pledged to reach out to the family of a young mascot and conduct a thorough investigation after she was left alone on the pitch ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield. The incident, which occurred before Newcastle's 4-1 defeat on Saturday night, has sparked significant criticism from fans and prompted an official response from the club.
Video Footage Reveals Distressing Scene
A video that circulated widely on social media following the match showed the Newcastle mascot, a young girl, standing alone and appearing confused in the centre of the pitch. This occurred after Eddie Howe's players raced away to prepare for the game following the pre-match handshakes. The footage then panned to the opposite side of the pitch, where Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was seen engaging with his team's three mascots, highlighting a stark contrast in treatment.
Although Dan Burn was officially named as Newcastle's captain for the match in the absence of Bruno Guimaraes, it was Kieran Trippier who led the team out at Anfield. Trippier was initially seen holding the young mascot's hand as they walked onto the pitch together, but he subsequently appeared to leave her behind.
Fan Outrage and Club Response
The video prompted immediate outrage from Newcastle supporters on social media platform X. One fan commented, "Disappointing is an understatement! This poor girl will be devastated. Trippier had one job—to walk out with the mascot and ensure she got off the pitch safely. I hope the club does more than just reach out." Another added, "So bad. Why Trippier completely neglected her after the handshakes is unfathomable. My son was a mascot last night. We can see from this video that Trippier was looking after her then just simply left her."
In response to the growing controversy, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle United will not only contact the mascot's family but also investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The report further indicated that after the clip ended, the young girl was taken to the Newcastle bench, where she shook hands with manager Eddie Howe.
Official Statements and Match Context
The Newcastle United Supporters Trust released a statement on Monday morning, confirming, "We spoke to the club about this yesterday—they are aware and it is being addressed, with action being taken." This official acknowledgment underscores the club's commitment to resolving the matter appropriately.
The incident overshadowed what was already a disappointing night for Newcastle on the pitch. Despite taking an early lead through Anthony Gordon, Liverpool responded with two quick goals from Hugo Ekitike before half-time. Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate then sealed a comprehensive 4-1 victory for Arne Slot's side in the second half.
Reflecting on the match, Eddie Howe expressed his frustration, stating, "We are really disappointed because I thought it was a strong performance—4-1 is really hard on us. We scored a great goal and started really strongly. It is just the manner of the goals conceded that were really poor from our perspective. I would not expect us normally to concede those types of goals."
Howe specifically praised Ekitike's second goal as "an unbelievable run and finish" but admitted his team had failed to "cover ourselves in glory on the small details." He added, "We switch off for a few seconds on a goal kick, and you kick yourselves afterward because they are key moments in the game."
As Newcastle United works to address the mascot incident, the club faces dual challenges: repairing the trust of young supporters and their families while also regrouping after a heavy defeat that leaves them reflecting on defensive lapses at Anfield.
