Chris Kavanagh will not referee in the next round of Premier League matches after several major errors in FA Cup action between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
The decision was taken by Professional Game Match Officials Limited, which also removed assistant Nick Greenhalgh from duties.
Gary Beswick will officiate at Nottingham Forest against Liverpool.
Newcastle’s 3-1 win featured three contentious moments.
Tammy Abraham’s opener appeared offside.
Lucas Digne avoided punishment for a high challenge on Jacob Murphy.
Digne then handled in the box, but Kavanagh awarded only a free-kick outside the area.
The incidents reignited debate about video assistant referees.
VAR is not used in the FA Cup until the fifth round.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said officials may hesitate without it.
He suggested referees have grown used to relying on technology for difficult calls.
Howe admitted he remains conflicted about VAR.
He said it removes the spontaneity of goal celebrations.
However, he also wished it had been available for the disputed decisions in this match.
