‘Sadly…’ – Ex-PGMOL boss reacts to Newcastle United’s statement amid training ground incident
Newcastle United’s security will have spoken at length with the players about fans’ safety outside the training ground.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that supporters often wait outside the training centre for monetary gain, as well as meeting their heroes.
Nick Woltemade’s summer arrival at Newcastle created a lot of buzz, alongside multiple others, especially after Alexander Isak forced through a move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
Just like any other club, supporters at St James’ Park are eager to meet the stars who play week-in, week-out, leading to groups waiting outside the training ground on non-matchdays.
Newcastle United star nearly collides with a supporter
On Thursday, 30 October, Newcastle announced a “safety notice” for the supporters who do exactly that, asking people to avoid gathering outside the training centre entrance and surrounding roadways.
According to the Daily Mail (30 October), this comes after one Newcastle player experienced a near-miss with a young fan in the week, with the senior star alarmed by the incident.
Excited fans have been known to jump in front of cars, causing the players to stop and sign autographs or take selfies, which is becoming extremely dangerous for both parties.
It is a situation all too familiar to Hackett, who believes that it will have been spoken about extensively inside the training ground, with the club now being forced to address it with the fans.
Newcastle right to address the training ground situation
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the situation, the former referee said: “Sadly, some of these people waiting to get autographs are doing it on a commercial basis. They get a shirt signed, and within hours, it’s on eBay.
“The club, through its security team, will have had words with players to avoid any potential injury to groups of fans. The obtaining of players’ autographs is a long-standing tradition, so I can fully understand that many fans will be disappointed.
“I worked in the North East for a couple of years, and the workforce would turn up wearing their football shirts. We also had Sunderland fans in the workforce, and the banter was terrific.”