Newcastle United fans have been praised for the way they treated Athletic Club fans on Wednesday evening.
[Cadena SER have the praise today](https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2025/11/06/son-una-aficion-de-primera-el-emocionante-pasillo-de-honor-del-newcastle-a-la-hinchada-del-athletic-en-st-james-park-radio-bilbao/), explaining that the ‘most memorable moment’ of the evening did not happen on the pitch. Newcastle were 2-0 winners over the Spanish side in the Champions League.
But it is a viral moment after the game that deserves the headline. One fan uploaded a video showing how Newcastle fans ‘applauded the red-and-white supporters’ as they left St James’ Park.
This has been seen as a scene of ‘mutual respect’ between the two sides. And, something that has ‘rekindled the bond’ between the two fanbases thirty years on from their last famous meeting.
Cadena SER say the moment was a ‘scene of sportsmanship and affection’ that is ‘rarely seen’ in European stadiums. That rekindled a bond between the fans of both clubs born all the way back in 1994.
Newcastle United and Athletic friendship dates back to 1994
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The two sides met in the UEFA Cup that year and the tie ‘produced one of the most iconic images at San Mamés.’ Athletic won the game and during the celebrations afterwards, their fans invaded the pitch to applaud Newcastle’s fans. The Magpies’ supporters responded with chants of “Athletic, Athletic”.
That ‘spontaneous scene of mutual respect’ created a bond which has now been reforged at St James’ Park on Wednesday. According to Cadena, it was a reminder to all of Europe that football ‘can still be a place of admiration and camaraderie, even between rivals.’