Newcastle United could face UEFA punishment after AC Milan flight delay

Newcastle United are facing possible UEFA punishment ahead of their Champions League Group F opener against AC Milan tomorrow night.

Eddie Howe’s squad were due to leave Newcastle at 2:30pm this afternoon after training at Benton in the morning but their flight didn’t take off until 4:49pm.

As a result, Howe’s pre-match press conference at the San Siro didn’t start at the scheduled time of 7pm local time.

With the Magpies not due to land at Milan Malpensa Airport until 7:50pm, the club are at risk of breaching UEFA regulations which state pre-match press conferences must take place between 12pm and 8pm local time on the day before the game.

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Article 73 of the UEFA regulations state: “Each club must hold a pre-match press conference the day before the match.

“Each press conference must be attended by the head coach of the team and at least one player. If the head coach is suspended for the match, clubs have the option of replacing him at the pre-match press conference with the assistant coach.

“The two press conferences must be arranged by the two clubs and UEFA together, so that the media can attend both. Press conferences must start between 12.00 and 20.00 local time. Exceptions to these timings must be agreed in advance with UEFA.

“Press conferences may be broadcast live regardless of location, and clubs must provide facilities for such live broadcasts, including cable routes and parking for TV vehicles.”

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is also set to appear in front of the media. The reason as to why the team’s flight was delayed is currently unknown.