With the new UEFA Champions League campaign about to kick off, a Premier League side has landed itself in hot water with UEFA after breaking competition rules.
Before kicking a ball in the Champions League for the first time in two decades, Newcastle United are facing a probe by European football's governing body for missing their pre-match media obligations.
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The club is due to make its first appearance on the continent's biggest stage in 20 years, but the occasion has already been dampened by some bad news.
Ahead of their Group F opener against AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night, the Magpies missed the deadline to host their pre-match press conference, and in doing so, violated a couple of competition rules.
According to the Daily Mirror, UEFA regulations state that teams must brief the media between noon and 20:00 the day before kick-off.
"Each club must hold a pre-match press conference the day before the match. Each press conference must be attended by the head coach of the team and at least one player. If the head coach is suspended for the match, clubs have the option of replacing him at the pre-match press conference with the assistant coach," Article 73 of UEFA's regulations addressing activities on the day before the match reads.
"The two press conferences must be arranged by the two clubs and UEFA together, so that the media can attend both. Press conferences must start between 12.00 and 20.00 local time."
However, Newcastle's Boeing 737 private jet only landed in Italy at 20:00 due to a delay reportedly caused by torrential rain and a thunderstorm.
It is understood that the Geordie side did not communicate that they would be late, which is also a violation of the organisation's regulations.
"Exceptions to these timings must be agreed in advance with UEFA. Press conferences may be broadcast live regardless of location, and clubs must provide facilities for such live broadcasts, including cable routes and parking for TV vehicles," the abovementioned article continues.
While it remains to be seen what punishment UEFA will hand Newcastle, it is believed that, given the context of the situation and why they were late, they could be fortunate enough to escape with only a fine and a warning.
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The last time they featured in the UCL was in the 2002/03 campaign, in which they reached the second group stage of the competition.
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