Newcastle United and Sunderland now know the match officials assigned for Sunday’s clash at the Stadium of Light. Peter Bankes of Lancashire will take charge of the derby, with the 43-year-old supported on the touchlines by assistants Eddie Smart and Blake Antrobus. Simon Hooper will act as fourth official.
VAR duties will be handled by Stuart Attwell, who oversaw two penalty decisions in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Burnley at St James’ Park on Saturday. Alex Chilowicz will serve as his assistant in the VAR booth, setting the stage for what could be an eventful afternoon for both sides.
Bankes has already refereed Newcastle twice this season, taking charge of their home victories over Nottingham Forest and Fulham. He awarded the Magpies a penalty against Forest, converted by Nick Woltemade, but later drew boos at St James’ Park for allowing repeated fouls on the striker to go unpunished in the Fulham match.
He has also had a taste of northern rivalry this campaign when he officiated the goalless draw between Leeds and Newcastle at Elland Road, during which he booked goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Throughout his career, Bankes has only dismissed one Newcastle player: Valentino Lazaro, sent off in the 2019/20 season for a professional foul on Wilfried Zaha in a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.