UEFA Champions League Rules Leave Newcastle Star Suspended as Two Others Face Disciplinary Risk

Newcastle United FC have already seen one player suspended under the disciplinary rules of the UEFA Champions League, while two more members of the squad are now at risk of missing a crucial fixture through suspension.

The Magpies welcome FC Barcelona to St James’ Park this evening for the first leg of their Round of 16 clash.

Newcastle head into the European tie after a disappointing domestic setback. They were eliminated from the FA Cup at the fifth-round stage on Saturday following a 3–1 home defeat to Manchester City FC, who had also knocked them out of the EFL Cup earlier in the campaign.

Manager Eddie Howe has acknowledged that Newcastle’s hopes of achieving something memorable this season may now depend heavily on their European campaign. The club currently sits 12th in the Premier League, nine points adrift of the top five with nine matches remaining.

Gordon and Joelinton Boost for Newcastle

To stand any chance of overcoming Barcelona, Howe understands the importance of taking a positive result into the second leg at Camp Nou next Tuesday.

There was encouraging news on the injury front as Joelinton and Anthony Gordon were both seen training with the first team on Monday afternoon.

Joelinton recently returned after spending three weeks on the sidelines with a groin problem, while Gordon has been managing an ankle injury. Howe opted to “protect” both players during the defeat to Manchester City, restricting them to substitute appearances.

Jacob Murphy could also return to action after missing the weekend match with a neck complaint. Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey is available again after serving a one-match suspension in the Premier League.

However, Newcastle remain without several players, including Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth, who continue to be sidelined through injury.

Suspension Served but More Concerns Remain

Defender Malick Thiaw, who has started Newcastle’s last three matches, missed the Champions League play-off second-leg victory over Qarabag FK due to suspension. The centre-back had received his third yellow card of the campaign during the first leg in Baku, triggering an automatic one-match ban under UEFA regulations.

Two more Newcastle players are now walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Both Dan Burn and Joelinton are currently one booking away from their third caution in this season’s competition. Under UEFA rules, any player who accumulates three yellow cards before the semi-final stage receives an automatic one-match suspension.

Should Newcastle progress deep into the tournament, the duo would need to avoid a booking for up to four more matches to escape a ban.

Other Newcastle players who have been shown a yellow card in the Champions League this season include Sandro Tonali, Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Gordon.