FA cancels Newcastle’s Dutch trip

Newcastle United will not be playing a friendly against Dutch side FC Utrecht next week, as the English FA won’t allow for the match to take place.

While the Magpies were scheduled to travel to Utrecht, arch rivals Sunderland are to participate in a friendly tournament in Amsterdam, at only 30 kilometers distance.

Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen had already voiced his concern and tried to ban Sunderland from playing in his city.

The FA now took measures themselves, deciding to ban Newcastle instead as Sunderland’s participation in the ‘Amsterdam Tournament’ was planned before, and because tickets have already been sold.