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Newcastle United issue guidelines and warning as 1,998 diehards arrive in Baku for Qarabag tie

The Magpies sent officials to Baku for a recce earlier this month as they make their longest ever journey in European competition

The city of Baku

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Newcastle United fans have been arriving in good numbers for their Champions League clash with Qarabag in the play-offs to qualify for the last 16.

United have 1,998 tickets for the game officially in Baku with supporters making the 2,529-mile trip from Tyneside to get behind their team. This is the longest any English club have ever travelled in the Champions League for a game in Europe's premier competition.

They will arrive to slightly warmer conditions with the temperature 11 degrees here in Azerbaijan and the sun shining on Baku. Toon supporters were arriving from Newcastle via London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Budapest and Krakow to see if United can take an advantage into the second leg next week.

The team will set off for Azerbaijan tomorrow and train at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium. Eddie Howe will hold his Press conference at 8.30pm local time (4.30pm GMT).

Howe told NUFC TV: "It is a big week for us. The travel is one thing, we will deal with that and get through it no problem hopefully.

"But it is the refocusing and making sure the players are ready for a really tough game. It has been in our minds, we are looking forward to it but we know it is going to be really tough."

Newcastle United Supporters Club have issued details of a fanzone in Fountain Square with the William Shakespeare Pub and Finnegans expected to be busy with Toon fans.

NUSC posted on X: "Bars above are recommended as meeting points. Plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area."

Supporters have been warned they will be held back after Wednesday's game. A club statement read: "Newcastle United supporters will be held back for 30 minutes following the conclusion of the game. We encourage supporters to remain in their seat unless they are using the facilities in the stadium. Please note, fans will be escorted out of the stadium by the police."

And the club also said: "We have not been advised where supporters should not congregate. With any city you travel to, it is important to be aware of your surroundings for pickpocketing and stay vigilant. Please take sensible precautions when travelling through the airport, railways stations, around the city centre and when using public transport.

"We do advise to always keep your passport on you; however, a copy of your passport will be suitable."

Newcastle also reminded fans of cultural awareness and said: "Ramadan is due to begin on the evening of 17th February with fast beginning from dawn on Wednesday, 18th February. Please respect the culture and local residents who will be observing this.

"It is important to be aware of your behaviour particularly around historically important locations and monuments. Martyrs Alley is especially sensitive, and we ask you not to be disrespectful or disruptive in or around such areas as this may result in police action."

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