Eddie Howe Defends Anthony Gordon Against Viral Criticism From Roy Keane and Alan Shearer Following Barcelona Absence

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe defends Anthony Gordon's absence from the Barcelona starting XI after harsh criticism from Keane, Rooney, and Shearer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 10:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Medical Decision Behind a Tactical Setback

The fallout from Newcastle United’s recent Champions League encounter with Barcelona has centered on the availability of Anthony Gordon, who was omitted from the starting lineup due to sudden illness. After the Magpies conceded a late equalizer to Lamine Yamal following a lead provided by Harvey Barnes, questions arose regarding why the club’s star winger only featured as a second-half substitute. Manager Eddie Howe has now clarified that while Gordon was desperate to participate from the opening whistle, the coaching staff overruled the player after he was unable to attend the final pre-match training session.

Punditry Icons Challenge Modern Medical Protocols

The decision to name Gordon as a substitute triggered a wave of "old school" skepticism from prominent football analysts, including Alan Shearer and Roy Keane. Shearer expressed disbelief that any player would miss a quarter-final qualifying opportunity against Barcelona unless the circumstances were extraordinary, while Keane labeled the situation as "bizarre" during a public discussion. The former Manchester United captain argued that if a player is healthy enough to contribute thirty minutes as a substitute, they should be deemed fit enough to start the match, suggesting that managers often over-complicate player welfare.

Concerns Over Contagion and Dressing Room Conduct

Further scrutiny was applied by Wayne Rooney, who noted that Gordon refused to shake hands with the media team before the match to avoid spreading his illness. Rooney pointed out a perceived inconsistency in the player’s logic, questioning why Gordon would avoid contact with pundits while still sharing a confined dressing room with his Newcastle teammates. According to Rooney, the involvement of sports scientists and medical professionals has shifted the traditional understanding of being "too ill to play," creating a divide between modern sports science and the expectations of former players.