Newcastle are hoping to avoid a fixture pile-up right at the start of the season, and currently they are due to play three games in the first eight days of the season, and two games in three days.
Newcastle will entertain Tottenham at St. James’ Park on the first day of the season, 18th August, and then they play the European Champions Chelsea the following Saturday at Stamford Bridge, with both games being televised live by ESPN.
However, the first leg of the Europa League play-off tie is currently scheduled for the Thursday (August 23) before the Chelsea game, and Newcastle have tried to get the Chelsea game put back to the Sunday, to give them a bit more time.
Of course the other problem is that Newcastle don’t know who their opponents will be, and will not know until the draw is made on Friday, August 10th.
Newcastle have already asked the Premier League to move back the game, but London’s Metropolitan Police denied the request, because the Notting Hill Carnival is on the same day.
Newcastle then tried to get the qualifying game moved one day earlier to Wednesday (August 22), but that has been rejected by UEFA.
However, the latest news, and it’s getting to be a little more sane hopefully, is that UEFA have told the Tyneside club that a rescheduling could be possible if both Newcastle’s opponents and their two National associations agree to any switch.
But that will not come after the Europa League play-off draw takes place, which doesn’t happen until Friday, August 10, so Newcastle will have precious little time for scheduling.
Is this crazy or is this crazy?
A UEFA spokesman told Press Association Sport yesterday:
“In principle, UEFA is not in a position to change the requested fixture from Thursday to Wednesday or Tuesday.” “However, after the draw ceremony for the play-offs, if the opponent agrees to re-schedule the match date to the Tuesday, August 21 before 1830 CET, the UEFA Administration will be open to consider the request. ”
To make it just a little bit more difficult, written approval is required from the opponent club as well as the respective National associations of both teams involved.
This is hardly how Newcastle wanted to start the season, and it’s simply a mess, and it doesn’t look like too much help is being given to Newcastle to sort it out either.
And presumably Newcastle will not be able to do anything about it until after August 10th.
Comments welcome.
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70 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 5:42 AM
Comment #1Chelsea Police are afraid of the Big PAPISS CISSE, skinning chelsea
ashwin say's
Jul 6, 2012 at 5:43 AM
Comment #2ed on fire……
a deal is done when it is done until
then fingers crossed.
any reliable news on top class signing
for 1st team of 2012-2013 and future
ahead.
redondo77
Jul 6, 2012 at 6:25 AM
Comment #3this schedule is good news for our opponent. Why would they agree to change it?
it gives them better chance of winning.
cyprus
Jul 6, 2012 at 6:41 AM
Comment #4Ed, UEFA’s statement sounds reasonable, not crazy. And, regarding the clutter, consider other professional sports: For instance, the NBA season, excluding play-offs, lasts just 5.5 months and consists of 82 (!) games.
That’s not the point really. Most professional players complain that they don’t get enough rest time and with that I totally agree. If you consider extra games played in the off season (e.g. qualifiers, EURO etc.), then yes, some people get just a couple of weeks holidays and that is where the problem lies. Most players would prefer to play more games in a shorter period, thus allowing for a longer holiday in order to recuperate.
Whistler
Jul 6, 2012 at 6:43 AM
Comment #5Move the Chelsea game to the Monday then…the fixture pile up will get sorted out no doubt, it’s in the Premier leagues interests for teams to succeed in Europe, the police have no reason to intervene after the carnival
redondo77
Jul 6, 2012 at 7:13 AM
Comment #6move Chelsea game to monday will need chelsea to agree.
toonincheek
Jul 6, 2012 at 7:18 AM
Comment #7NUFC should approach BOTH of the possible opponents and if they will both sign the required agreement, then the principle of moving the match to the Wednesday can be finalised beforethe playoff match.
jesperfuglsang
Jul 6, 2012 at 7:43 AM
Comment #8Any news on the rumored medicals today or any press conference?
t00ntime
Jul 6, 2012 at 7:54 AM
Comment #9@jesper theres a rumour that its ‘bigi’ ( the 18 year old from coventry aka essien)
So no debuchy ( or other star)…. Well maybe in 5 yeard he will be lol
phillyg
Jul 6, 2012 at 7:55 AM
Comment #10The fun has begun with this. Now Pardew and Carver are going to have to use squad rotation to it’s full degree here. Lets hope we get drawn against a real minow of the competition. (i know no match is gauranteed) but it will give pardew the likes to really test a second string team.
————-krul
trav-willo-good-raylor
——–bigirimana
obertan – vukic – marvuex
shola – sameobi
SupaToonKid
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:18 AM
Comment #11Guidietti would be a super signing; young, good feet, strong, great finisher, good technique, skillful, fairly quick & a composed penalty taker also half the price Twente want for Luuk de Jong. Hopefully we can wrap up deals for Bigirimana and Good as they look promising.
Still hoping we’ll get: Debuchy, Douglas or Sakho, Matuidi or Anita, Hoilett & Guidetti.
(Probably would go with Sakho and Matuidi as PSG want rid so maybe look at Gameiro as well if a good triple deal at approx £20M could be agreed).
geordie157
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:35 AM
Comment #12Philly beat me to it. Fingers crossed we get an easy draw.
Then for the 1st leg we can go with something like
Elliot, Tav, Willo, |Colo, Raylor, Obertan, Gosling, Abeid, Marv, Shola & Sammy. Subs Harps, Perch, Good, Bigiri, Vuckic, Fergs & Xisco (hhmm)
Also depends when Ba’s fasting is, he maybe better to play off the bench during that time.
magpie6699
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:38 AM
Comment #13Yes but at least it’s nice to be in the position of having the problem. And it will give more chances to Vukcic, Ferguson, Sammy, Raylor etc. to start games.
HullMag6
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:42 AM
Comment #14I think Ed is warming up for a big day. Could be some traffic in and out of benton anyone daft/brave enough to be there on point.
Toonboy_84
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Comment #15Do u think the bigi signing will end our interest in anita?
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Comment #16Hull Mag
Already hear mate Good is already in there
toonarmydownsouth
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Comment #17Redondo unfotunatly its not chelsea who have refused to move the game its the met police
Beattie25
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Comment #18Toonboy
I still think we’ll look to sign a first team CM. For the value of Anita if we ca get him for 5 million then it’ll be done if they want closer to 10 then not a chance.
However I have a funny feeling that Wanyama is still a top target for our club.
Toonboy_84
Jul 6, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Comment #19@beattie
I don’t think bigi will be too far away from the first team. Have u seen much of him?
TorqToon
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #20Keep us informed Jay K – who needs SSN ! 🙂
toonarmydownsouth
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Comment #21Toonboy not sure if it will end anita suppose it depends where were signing him for some reports say hes a lb others a cdm so not sure
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:21 AM
Comment #22Torqtoon. Good has Arrived tried to get pic to far away.
Toonboy_84
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Comment #23Where did ya see him jay k?
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Comment #24Toonboy. I am at the training ground
papiss_on_your_parade
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Comment #25Jay k – let us know if you see debuchy or guidetti!
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Comment #26http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/07/06/3224071/monchengladbach-leading-race-for-newcastle-target-luuk-de?
wynsleap
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #27Wonder if Manure or Chelsea would have the same negative reaction from the FA and EUFA if THEY were trying to renegotiate fixtures?
One law for the rich….. it would appear.
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #28Lads can someone have a look when the club has said Cabaye would b bk in training as he just arrived at training ground could b nowt
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Comment #29according to nufc.com
Both cabaye and HBA were supposed to return on 23rd july
toonarmydownsouth
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Comment #30€20 m for de jong fcuk off!!
Rotonda heights
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #31Indian,
Any chance of some positive good news for once!
besides we’ve all seen it already on newsnow.
Nick 69
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #32wynsleap – it has nothing to do with the FA whatsoever, they FA backed our application to move the Europa game, and were going to allow us to move the Chelsea game to the Sun, it was the Police who blocked it not the FA or UEFA who have said they will allow it to be moved if the opposition agree
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #33Rotanda,
No 🙁
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #34Cheers could be summit. Is good leaves I will try get a pic to post. If he still needs his medical I would say he will come back out.
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #35Rotanda,
Sir,
good! that u had already seen that! but not every one did, you could not post that link for someone who did not and now you are tellig me off for posting it.
Let me see how many people you tell the same thing.
rainrix
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #36Im dreading the amount of ‘good’ based puns when he signs >_>
Toonboy_84
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #37Rainrix
I hope his medical goes “good”………..
………sorry 😉
Jay K
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #38Is summit about to happen David Craig arrives
Beattie25
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #39Jayk is bringing you updates from Benton so I’m doing my best to bring you updates from wearside.
Just seen Hesky arriving on a push bike and reports are circulating that Neymar is due in any minute.
Indian Magpie
Jul 6, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #40Imagine this
Nufc see of XYZ Curtisy good