Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder #07 Joelinton (L) abd Newcastle United's English defender #33 Dan Burn arrive ahed of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)placeholder image
Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder #07 Joelinton (L) abd Newcastle United's English defender #33 Dan Burn arrive ahed of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) | AFP via Getty Images
Two of Newcastle United’s players are walking a disciplinary tightrope in the Champions League.
The Magpies lead 6-1 from the first-leg win in Azerbaijan thanks to four goals from Anthony Gordon and a goal in either half from Thiaw and Jacob Murphy.
With a five-goal advantage, Eddie Howe’s side are almost certain to progress into the last 16 of the competition, where they will face either Barcelona or Chelsea.
Newcastle United defender suspended for Qarabag clash
But it’s another 90 minutes of football in what is a relentless fixture schedule for United, who remain light of senior bodies in defence.
Newcastle are already without Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar through injury and won’t have Thiaw to call upon as he serves a one-match suspension.
The German’s yellow card in Baku last Wednesday was his third in this season’s Champions League. As per UEFA rules, three bookings before the semi-final stage automatically results in a one-match suspension.
“Yeah, it's going to be a blow for us,” Howe said. “I said that when his suspension was confirmed, a big loss for us at the heart of our defence.
“I think Malick has been hugely impressive this season, odel of consistency. I actually think the last few games, again, has been some of his strongest of the season. I think he's, considering the amount of games he's played, really, really good in that sense.
“I think on the ball, he's come back to being at his very best level. I think defensively he's been superb. I think he's been an incredible signing for us. He's a great lad as well. Settled in really quickly to the group.
“So yeah, he'll be a miss, but fingers crossed it's just for one game.”
United will hope to have Sven Botman back available after he was pictured in training on Monday afternoon. As it stands, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Lewis Hall are the only senior defenders who are definitely available.
Newcastle United duo at risk of Champions League ban
Two of Newcastle’s players continue to walk a disclinpary tightrope, with Burn and Joelinton one booking away from being handed a one-match ban.
That’s potentially five more games they need to avoid a booking, should the Magpies progress past the quarter-final stage.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Willock, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon are the only other Newcastle players who have been shown a yellow card in the Champions League this season. Those players are two yellows from a ban.
Champions League red card rules
The only exception is if they were to be shown a red card, as is the same with any player.
Article 63.01 of the UEFA Champions League regulations states that a red card in the Champions League is an automatic one-match suspension in that competition and does not carry over into other competitions.
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.
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