Malick Thiaw facing Newcastle United Champions League ban after Bayer Leverkusen incident
Newcastle United players are walking a suspension tightrope in the Champions League with PSV and PSG on the horizon.
Newcastle United now have three players at risk of serving a Champions League ban.
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The Magpies were held to a 2-2 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night after Alejandro Grimaldo scored an 88th-minute equaliser.
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Bruno Guimaraes’ own goal handed Leverkusen the lead in the 13th minute but two second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley put the Magpies on the brink of victory.
However, it was a familiar tale for United as they conceded late on as Grimaldo was given time and space to race into the box and slot the ball past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Newcastle United all but secure place in Champions League knockout stages
Barring a shock turn of results in the final two game weeks, the Magpies are set to progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s side currently sit 12th in the league phase table, which secures a place in the play-off round, though could still advance into the last 16 by winning both their remaining matches against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain.
Howe said: “We have to believe. When we started the Champions League campaign, if we thought it was going to be easy, I think we're in the wrong competition. We have very, very good teams. We're travelling.
“The game schedule that we've got, all these things you add together makes it a challenging period for us. But I think the players are navigating it really well.
“I think we are playing with a clear identity and a plan, which, before the international break, I was disappointed with a couple of the performances. I think we've come back strong in that respect. We have it all to prove.
“The two games we have are very difficult games. But I believe in the group. Wherever we go, if we're near our best, we can win.”
Newcastle United trio at risk of Champions League suspension
Heading into the final two group games, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn and Joelinton are all walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Thiaw was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off in Leverkusen after he brought down Patrick Schick through on goal. A penalty was awarded at first, but a VAR check showed the foul to be just outside the box.
The German defender joins Burn and Joelinton on two yellow cards in this season’s Champions League and another before the league phase is over would see the trio serve an automatic one-match ban.
UEFA rules state “From the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.).”
Newcastle host PSV at St James’ Park on January 21 before travelling to Paris a week later.