- Newcastle United brace for UEFA punishment
- Fine would restrict already complicated summer transfer window
- Eddie Howe still believes European qualification possible
Newcastle United are in talks with UEFA over possible financial sanctions amid fears the club may have breached regulations.
There’s a feeling that not much more could be going wrong at St James’ Park right now. An unceremonious dumping-out of the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona has been followed by dropped points against bitter rivals Sunderland, and then against Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth.
The Magpies have slipped to 14th in the table and are six points off the top six. There are still five matches to play before the end of the campaign but, in a tightly packed table, chances of European qualification seem slim.
Newcastle United ‘in talks’ with UEFA
However, there may yet be another blow for Newcastle to deal with. It was already well known that failure to qualify for Europe would provide somewhat of a squeeze on spending and that could become even more tricky.
The Chronicle reports that the Magpies are now in talks with UEFA over possible sanctions for breaching club licensing and financial sustainability regulations. That makes the threat of punishment very real.
UEFA are not afraid to take action on clubs with Chelsea fined £26.7 million for breaking rules on football earnings. Aston Villa were handed a £12 million penalty 10 months ago.
Newcastle will have to sell before bringing in big-money signings this summer. The club are expected to accept a £75 million bid for Anthony Gordon with Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento both expected to be out the door.
Eddie Howe targets European qualification
Eddie Howe was asked for his opinion on possible European qualification following the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. He said: “It’s still possible. Strange year in terms of the Premier League table. We need those runs of wins which we haven’t done for the first season since I have been here.”
What do Newcastle need to achieve that? Howe explained: “A team that is prepared to run, attack, playing with a high motivation level, freedom. I want to be entertained watching the team play, I don’t want to look at the team and think I don’t recognise them and there have been moments this season where I have felt that.
“I’ve been disappointed not in terms of the effort but in terms of what we have delivered. A big emphasis on entertainment and attacking. We have lost grip of it slightly and the proof is in terms of what you see.”
In other news, ‘Exceptional Circumstances’: How Arsenal star could be banned for Newcastle United clash.
