Newcastle United can make changes to their Champions League squad - but on one condition they hope won’t happen. (Photo credit: Getty Images).placeholder image
Newcastle United can make changes to their Champions League squad - but on one condition they hope won’t happen. (Photo credit: Getty Images). | Getty Images
Chelsea have already taken advantage of the UEFA rule. Newcastle United hope they won’t have to.
Newcastle kick off their Champions League campaign at home to Barcelona on Thursday (kick-off 8pm) and ahead of the match were required to submit a squad list to UEFA.
UEFA rules restrict Newcastle United squad list
UEFA rules allow clubs to submit a ‘List A’ of up to 25 players, if they include four ‘club-trained’ players. But in this instance, the Magpies could only name a squad of 21 due to the lack of club-trained players.
A club-trained player is any player registered with their current club for at least three full seasons between the ages of 15 and 21, regardless of nationality.
Newcastle United can make changes to their Champions League squad - but on one condition they hope won’t happen. (Photo credit: Getty Images).placeholder image
Newcastle United can make changes to their Champions League squad - but on one condition they hope won’t happen. (Photo credit: Getty Images). | Getty Images
Having sold academy graduates Elliot Anderson and Sean Longstaff in recent summers, the only first-team player to fit that criteria is 19-year-old Lewis Miley, but he doesn’t need to be named on ‘List A’ due to his age. He will instead feature on ‘List B’.
Unlike the Premier League, players born on or after January 1, 2004, do need to be named in the ‘List A’ unless they have been eligible to play for their club for an uninterrupted period of two years.
It was this rule that saw Lewis Hall named in Newcastle’s ‘List A’ during their previous Champions League campaign as a new signing but is now eligible for ‘List B’ and won’t take up a squad place.
Newcastle United’s 21-man Champions League squad in full
Newcastle United Champions League ‘List A’
Goalkeepers: Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman
Midfielders: Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock.
Forwards: Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle United can make changes to Champions League squad - on one unwanted condition
Newcastle were also required to submit a 25-man squad to the Premier League and from that list, Jamaal Lascelles, Harrison Ashby, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie have been omitted for the Champions League.
However, there is still a chance that Lascelles and Ashby could come into the Champions League squad, although it would be for an unwanted reason.
UEFA has confirmed that one outfield player can be replaced in that ‘List A’ squad if impacted by a long-term injury’ or illness”. Article 31.14 states: “An injury or illness is considered long-term if it lasts at least 60 days as of the day the injury or illness occurred”.
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But in order to make the change, UEFA writes: "The club must provide UEFA with the necessary medical evidence in one of UEFA's official languages. Before confirming the replacement, UEFA may require further medical examination of the outfield player by an expert appointed by UEFA at the club's expense.”
Chelsea have already taken advantage of UEFA rule change
It is a loophole that has already been exercised by Newcastle’s Premier League rivals Chelsea. Facundo Buonanotte has replaced Dario Essugo, who has undergone thigh surgery and will be sidelined until the turn of the year.
UEFA adds: “If the outfield player recovers before the end of this 60-day period, the player remains nonetheless not eligible to participate in any UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League), until the end of such period.”
Newcastle are set to be without Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey for their opening two Champions League matches against Barcelona and Union SG but the pair, as it stands, are expected to return next month.
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