Newcastle United 2-0 Athletic Club: Joe Buck reaction
Newcastle United’s upcoming Champions League opponents have been handed a suspension verdict following a UEFA investigation.
The Magpies have won three of their four matches in the competition this season, scoring 10 goals and conceding only two.
Eddie Howe’s side sit sixth in the 36-team group phase table, with the top 24 progressing and the top eight advancing straight to the last-16.
But now they face two tricky away ties against Marseille on November 25 and Leverkusen just over a fortnight later. Newcastle complete their group phase in the new year against PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park before a trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain on January 28.
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Bayer Leverkusen receive UEFA ban verdict
Bayer Leverkusen were dealt a blow last month when captain Robert Andrich was shown a straight red card in a 7-2 home defeat to PSG.
Andrich was shown a straight red card for violent conduct for an elbow into the face of Desire Doue. It was the midfielder’s second sending off of the season.
While a violent conduct sending off in the Premier League would lead to an automatic three-match ban, the rules are different in the Champions League.
However, in the event of a serious offence, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body is entitled to augment this punishment, including by extending it to other competitions or increasing the length of the ban in the competition.
Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal was shown a straight red card against Marseille last month for a headbutt on goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. But the Spaniard saw his one-match ban extended to two games due to the severity and violent nature of the offence.
According to Bild, UEFA have now informed Leverkusen that Andrich’s ban has been extended to two matches and he will therefore miss the Champions League match against Manchester City on November 25.
It sees the German international avoid a three-match ban and means he will be available for the match against Newcastle United next month.
NUFC star at risk of Champions League ban
Meanwhile, Newcastle have one player at risk of missing the Leverkusen match due to suspension.
Brazilian midfielder Joelinton picked up two bookings in Newcastle’s opening two group phase matches against Barcelona and Union Saint-Gilloise. He came off the bench and avoided a booking against Benfica before starting against Athletic Club and grabbing a goal, while also avoiding a yellow card.
But he remains one booking away from a one-match ban in the Champions League. Should he pick it up at Marseille later this month, he would miss the trip to Leverkusen.
Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw are the only other Magpies players who have been shown a yellow card in the Champions League this season. The pair would have to be booked a further two times in order to face a yellow card ban.
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