‘On the radar’ – Ex-PGMOL chief shares Newcastle vs Man City postponement latest
Newcastle may yet see their clash with Manchester City on Saturday afternoon postponed if freezing conditions arise on Tyneside.
That is according to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider how this weekend’s game at St James’ Park could come under threat.
Newcastle has been issued with a yellow weather warning by the Met Office on Thursday, with Storm Claudia set to cause havoc across the entire East of the country.
Games up and down the Football League are likely to be threatened by the adverse conditions, with Newcastle among the areas that are set to be affected the most.
Keith Hackett reveals the pitch may not be the issue at St James’ Park
Newcastle will be keen to rectify their defeat to Brentford from before the international break, but they may have to wait a little longer before they get the chance to do so, if conditions worsen before Saturday.
The North East is one of the bigger areas where the Met Office weather warning has been enforced, with snow and ice expected to cause disruption and potentially injuries in the coming days.
That immediately puts doubt on the visit of Manchester City to St James’ Park this weekend, but not for the reason that most fans would expect.
Hackett has revealed that the decision regarding a potential postponement at Newcastle could actually hinge on the safety of supporters attending the game, rather than the condition of the pitch.
“Freezing conditions can have a big impact,” the ex-FIFA referee said.
“It is not just as simple as whether the playing surface is deemed to be fit.
“The walkways surrounding the stadium, the local transport and the parking facilities at the ground will also be on the radar.”
Newcastle vs Man City clash to be protected by Sky Sports
Newcastle are set to feature live on Sky Sports once again in Saturday evening’s clash, and the television coverage of the game could ultimately play the deciding factor in a postponement decision.
The presence of the Sky Sports cameras at St James’ Park is likely to provide additional security in terms of the game going ahead, as they will be desperate to ensure that they have a contest to show.
That desire will not come above the safety of supporters if a postponement is unavoidable, but it will likely hold extra sway over a decision if the situation becomes a 50/50 call.
The TV company are often criticised by fans for their scheduling of games, but if they play a key role in Saturday’s clash going ahead, then both sets of supporters will undoubtedly be pleased.