Police praise Newcastle United fans after Champions League fixture passes "largely without incident"

Northumbria Police has praised Newcastle United and AC Milan fans after the force recorded only two arrests surrounding the Champions League fixture between the sides on Wednesday evening.

It would prove to be the final Champions League fixture for Eddie Howe's squad this season as United lost 2-1, leaving them at the bottom of a Champions League group which also included Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Around 1,500 away fans are thought to have been a part of a fan march from the city centre to St James Park, a key part of Champions League matchdays since the start of the European campaign in September.

Compared to the second march involving Borussia Dortmund fans in a day which ended with nine football related arrests, Northumbria Police has confirmed there were fewer issues surrounding the final group stage game.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “The policing operation for last night’s (Wednesday) match between Newcastle United and AC Milan passed largely without incident, with the overwhelming majority of both home and away fans behaving respectfully and appropriately."

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“Small pockets of disorder which were identified were swiftly dealt with by officers on scene and, as a result, we made two arrests throughout the operation.

“We will continue to review any further reports from the event to establish if further criminal offences have taken place, and take robust action where required.

“Anyone with further information, or who would like to make a report, is asked to get in touch via 101 or the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website.”