Newcastle at risk of UEFA punishment ahead of first Champions League game for 20 years

Newcastle are at risk of being punished by UEFA ahead of their first Champions League game for 20 years.

On Tuesday the Magpies take on seven-time European champions AC Milan at the San Siro in their opening game in Group G, where they have also been paired with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

But preparations for the encounter have been less than ideal after a storm meant Newcastle's flight to Milan was delayed.

They were scheduled to leave at 2:30pm but there was a day of more than two hours, meaning they didn't take off until 4:49pm.

They did eventually land at Milan Malpensa Airport but the press conference, featuring manager Eddie Howe and former Rossoneri star Sandro Tonali, was delayed as a result.

It was scheduled for 7pm but Howe did not speak to the media until 9pm local time, which is not in line with UEFA rules as the conferences must take in a window between 12pm and 8pm.

As per The Sun, article 73 states: “Each club must hold a pre-match press conference the day before the match.

“Each press conference must be attended by the head coach of the team and at least one player. If the head coach is suspended for the match, clubs have the option of replacing him at the pre-match press conference with the assistant coach.

“The two press conferences must be arranged by the two clubs and UEFA together, so that the media can attend both. Press conferences must start between 12.00 and 20.00 local time. Exceptions to these timings must be agreed in advance with UEFA.

“Press conferences may be broadcast live regardless of location, and clubs must provide facilities for such live broadcasts, including cable routes and parking for TV vehicles.”

Image: Getty

Newcastle could therefore face sanctions for falling foul of UEFA's regulations, though they will hope that the fact it was out of their control will see them given a free pass.

The North East outfit's last Champions League game was a third round qualifying defeat to Partizan Belgrade of Serbia back in 2003.

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