Newcastle United could exploit loophole as calls sound for ban | Football | Sport
Newcastle United may utilise a UEFA loophole to add a player to their Champions League squad, with that same star already under scrutiny for his actions in Sunday’s match against Arsenal. Eddie Howe’s team began their European journey with a commendable 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at St James’ Park and were close to causing an upset against Arsenal on Sunday.
However, a late header from Gabriel secured a 2-1 victory for the visitors, shifting focus to Wednesday evening. The Magpies travel to Belgium to take on champions Union Saint-Gilloise, who achieved an impressive 3-1 win over PSV in their inaugural match of this season’s Champions League. Howe will be missing some key players for the encounter, including Tino Livramento. Express Sport provides all the latest Newcastle news ahead of their European showdown with Union Saint-Gilloise….
Howe could benefit from Champions League loophole
Jamaal Lascelles stepped in for Livramento against Arsenal after the defender was forced off due to a knee injury on 77 minutes. However, the 31-year-old was not included in Newcastle’s 21-man Champions League squad, making him ineligible to play in Europe.
This issue could be circumvented if the club takes advantage of a loophole concerning injuries. Any team is permitted to temporarily substitute one outfield player in their squad up until the sixth matchweek in December if a listed player sustains a long-term injury.
UEFA Article 31.14 states: “An injury or illness is considered long-term if it lasts at least 60 days as of the day the injury or illness occurred.”
The Magpies would be required to permit UEFA to assess Livramento’s injury to determine its severity, but theoretically if the full-back remains out for more than 60 days then Lascelles could be added to the Champions League squad as backup.
Lascelles criticised by former referee
Lascelles has also found himself in the spotlight due to his actions against the Gunners. During a match where Arsenal defender Gabriel was spotted lashing out at Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade as he pressed for the ball, Lascelles was also caught up in a red card controversy.
Shortly after Lascelles came onto the pitch he contested an aerial duel with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and placed his hands on his face. Gyokeres collapsed to the turf and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider that Lascelles should have been sent off.
“We can see Lascelles of Newcastle United grab the face of Gyokeres, and pull it to one side,” said Hackett. “While I can appreciate that not everything is caught by the referee, I do think VAR should have picked this up.
“This is an offence that should have received a sanction, but this depends on whether excessive force has been used. It is certainly reckless, and it cannot and should not be ignored.”
Newcastle transfer branded ‘idiotic’
Woltemade found the net for Newcastle in the 34th minute against Arsenal and whilst he appears to be a crucial acquisition for boss Howe, Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has slammed the club as “idiots” for splashing out £69million on the striker.
“I can only congratulate those in Stuttgart that they – and now I will use inverted commas – found an idiot who will pay that much money,” Rummenigge told BR.
“Because we would have certainly not done that in Munich. We should not meet any demand to make someone happy, especially those financiers in Stuttgart.”
The German netted on his Tyneside bow earlier this month during a 1-0 triumph over Wolves. He remains in the process of adapting to Premier League football following a prolific 17-goal season with Stuttgart last term.
