Newcastle United headlines as Sunderland away allocation confirmed amid Harvey Barnes setback

Sunderland confirms Newcastle United’s derby day allocation.
Supporters of Newcastle United have discovered that there are only 6,000 tickets available for the Wear-Tyne derby. After pleading with local officials, United supporters had hoped for 15% of the Stadium of Light’s seating capacity.

“United has been allocated an allocation of 6,000 seats for the Emirates FA Cup third round tie at Sunderland in January,” a statement from the club stated. On Saturday, January 6, 2024, the Magpies visit the Stadium of Light, their first trip to Wearside since 2015. The team has collaborated extensively with Sunderland AFC and the appropriate authorities since the cup draw to optimize the visitors’ allocation, guaranteeing Eddie Howe’s team would have the support of one of the largest-ever away crowds for a Tyne-Wear derby.

In order to ensure the secure transportation of 6,000 away supporters and mitigate traffic on the local public transportation system, Northumbria Police has enforced stringent guidelines requiring all visiting supporters to take a complimentary round-trip bus service between St. James’ Park and the Stadium of Light. Newcastle United will plan and provide funding for this service.

Tickets for general admission will cost £32 for adults, £29 for those over 65, £24 for those under 22, and £14 for those under 16. Season ticket holders with 45 or more away points will be able to purchase tickets starting at 10 a.m. GMT on Monday, December 18, at book.nufc.co.uk. Subject to availability, points will be deducted every day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the exception of weekends and Christmas Day.

Harvey Barnes, a forward valued at £38 million, suffered a fresh blow for Newcastle United when he reported “pain” in his foot during his injured return.

After being substituted early in the match, the former Leicester City player has not appeared since the 8-0 victory over Sheff United. Barnes was hoping to return in December and had made significant progress since then, running on the grass.

However, Barnes is currently undergoing another evaluation and might perhaps need surgery. At his press conference today, Howe stated, “It’s a setback to a degree, where he’s felt pain in his foot again.” This was in advance of the match against Fulham.

“Hopefully, since he won’t require surgery, it won’t be a lasting setback. It is still possible for such to occur. He did not have foot surgery.

“The specialist felt he would be okay, and we’re still hoping it will not be longer term and he won’t need an operation, but we’re still in that phase where we’re going to see whether he’s going to come back or not.”

Following a modification to a top-flight rule, Newcastle United will be among the Premier League teams unable to spread the cost of a transfer price past the fifth year of a player’s contract.

To comply with UEFA regulations, Premier League teams have decided to modify the law regarding the amortization of player registration fees. In order to help comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, elite teams used to be able to stretch out the cost of a transfer over the whole term of a player’s contract in their accounts.

“Premier League shareholders agreed to amend the rule on amortisation of player registration costs to bring in line with UEFA’s regulations,” the statement stated. “So going forward, all new or extended player contracts will be subject to a five-year maximum.

“Clubs also agreed a regulation adjustment that would allow the Premier League board to prevent a club from registering more players until the due payment has been made in cases where the team owes a transfer debt to another Premier League or EFL club.

“The board can also have the option to deduct the amount from the club’s entitlement to the league’s central funds.”