pasports_news

Magpies grounded by FA

Mon 13 Jul, 08:25 PM


Newcastle have been advised by the Football Association that they cannot travel to the Dutch city of Utrecht for a pre-season friendly at the end of the month.

Doubts over the fixture had been raised after it emerged Newcastle's north-east rivals Sunderland would be playing in Holland at the same time. Both clubs were due to play just 30 miles apart during the final weekend of the month.

"Following conversations with the KNVB [the Dutch FA] and the Mayor of Amsterdam's office, The FA has reluctantly withdrawn permission for Newcastle United to play a friendly with Utrecht on Sunday 26 July," read an FA statement published on the Newcastle website, www.nufc.co.uk.

The Black Cats are taking part in the famous Amsterdam Tournament, during which they will face Benfica and Atletico Madrid at the Amsterdam ArenA on July 24 and 26, the latter game taking place on the same day that Magpies are scheduled to face FC Utrecht.

The fixture clash gave way to concerns that trouble could emerge with supporters of both clubs likely to be booked on the same flights and ferries to make the trip across the North Sea.

Amsterdam's mayor, Job Cohen, was so concerned by the potential for trouble that he called for Sunderland to be banned from the tournament, but the FA have ruled that Newcastle will have to miss out as tickets for Sunderland's trip had already gone on sale.

The statement continued: "Sunderland had applied for permission to participate in the Amsterdam tournament, with matches on 24 and 26 July, while Newcastle applied to play Utrecht on 26 July.

"After liaising with the KNVB and the UK and Dutch Police, permission was given to both clubs with assurances made to the FA that there were no objections to both teams playing in Holland at the same time.

"Following concerns raised by the Mayor of Amsterdam, it became clear that only one of the two teams would be able to travel to Holland and The FA actively sought to resolve the situation.

"Priority was given to Sunderland for three reasons; their application to play was received first, tickets have already been sold to their supporters, and travel arrangements have already been made. Newcastle United have not yet sold any tickets to their supporters."

 

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  1. How many times has Sunderland been relegated from the­ prem and how many times has Newcastle been relegated.­ enough said

    From gemma.marshall2, on Wed 15 Jul 8:53AM

  2. No, The Hamsterdam Mayor wanted Sunderland banned­ because he couldn't understand the @#$% that the­ newcastle camp was spewing. The FA said that there­ would be trouble, He thought he'd sort it out­ himself.

    From Mike, on Tue 14 Jul 2:38PM

  3. You are having a laugh w.newton79, Newcastle aren't­ even the biggest club in Tyne & Wear now, never­ mind the North East. As soon as you can get this­ through your head, the faster you will move on and­ begin to build what could become the biggest club in­ the North East. Much as it mkes me sick to say it, at­ the moment the Mackems are the biggest club and will­ continue to grow with Steve Bruce at the helm and the­ money at his disposal.

    From kht20, on Tue 14 Jul 2:23PM

  4. whitley bay could do with a game ...ha ha FTM

    From ian m, on Tue 14 Jul 12:54PM

  5. YOU NUFC LADS ARE TAKING THIS SO BAD . GET OVER IT THE­ BUBBLE HAS BURST . THE FAIRY TALE IS OVER .

    From TUSKA 08 FTM, on Tue 14 Jul 9:53AM

  6. This is balls, even thow we were relegated we are still­ the BIGGEST club in the north east we should be able to­ go n play are football, sunderland are the ones that­ always cause the trouble and they was the ones the­ dutch asked to be banned the FA are full ov old time W­ A N K E R S n sunderland are S H I­ T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From w.newton79, on Tue 14 Jul 9:28AM

  7. the dutch wanted the makems banned not the toon

    From yvonne.armstrong4, on Tue 14 Jul 8:32AM

  8. So only one person complains to the Police and­ Authorities????
    Is he related to Mary Whitehouse who­ used to complain singlehandedly decades ago, about just­ about everything and kept being pandered to by these­ people, instead of being told where to go?

    From Disgusted, on Tue 14 Jul 6:20AM

  9. And they are letting the Hammers and the Yids play in­ the Asia Cup ? hope the Hull City Fans keep them apart­ ! aw gawsh

    From garybillingham, on Mon 13 Jul 9:58PM

  10. i presume you are a makkum...how were you selling ­ season tickets last season and the season before Buy­ One Get One Free....and you still couldnt fill your­ ground

    From JEFF I, on Mon 13 Jul 9:00PM

  11. Newcastle United have not yet sold any tickets to their­ supporters."

    From farsical, on Mon 13 Jul 8:27PM
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