Little-known Champions League rule forces Newcastle into major match-day change ahead of historic PSG clash
NEWCASTLE have been forced into a major match-day change by a little-known Champions League rule.
Eddie Howe’s side host Paris Saint-Germain at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The match will be the first Champions League game played at the ground since 2003.
However, fans will not be able to hear the club’s traditional song during its regular slot.
Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero) is usually played as the players walk out onto the pitch.
According to Uefa rules, though, the final piece of music played before kick-off has to be the Champions League anthem.
As a result, Newcastle will be forced into playing their song earlier in order to adhere to the rules.
The rule also impacted Arsenal’s group stage opener against PSV last month.
Due to the regulations, The Angel was moved forward and played during the light show before the players walked out.
Newcastle have already breached Uefa rules during this season’s Champions League.
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Ahead of their opening match with AC Milan last month, Howe’s pre-match press conference had to be delayed due to adverse weather preventing the squad from flying to Italy.
Uefa rules state that the pre-match media duties must be carried out within an allotted window.
Newcastle head into their clash with PSG after earning a point away to Milan in their first match.
The Magpies have been drawn into the so-called ‘group of death’, with Borussia Dortmund the fourth team in group F.
To mark Wednesday’s historic match, shirt sponsors Sela put on a drone show above St. James’ Park on Monday night.
Fans gathered around the stadium to watch the show as anticipation builds before their clash with the French champions.