Newcastle forced to cancel tickets given to Dundee schoolchildren for Barcelona Champions League clash after fan outcry

The Scottish schoolchildren, who had secured the tickets through what they believed to be a legitimate package deal, had been preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Parents were asked to fork out £295 for the trip, a fee that covered the match ticket, coach travel, and an overnight stay.  

At the heart of the furore is the Newcastle United Supporters Group, led by chair Lisa Mole. She spoke for thousands when she blasted the allocation, saying it “stung” to see outsiders handed precious tickets while lifelong fans were left empty-handed.  

Mole said: "It's a ballot, people are not guaranteed a ticket, but it does sting when they see people who are not necessarily Newcastle supporters being given an opportunity to go to such a high-profile game. Members were fighting every week to get a ticket." 

Whereas, a spokesman for the school said: "The High School of Dundee was approached by an approved provider and the tickets were bought as part of a group package." 

The club wasted little time in responding. A Newcastle spokesperson confirmed the Dundee allocation had been cancelled and promised the tickets would now be redistributed through the club’s official sales process.

A Newcastle United spokesman said: "These tickets will be made available to Newcastle United supporters through the club's existing ticket sale process."  

This isn’t the first time St James’ Park has been caught in a ticketing storm. Earlier this season, 78 season tickets and memberships were axed over unauthorised resale activity. On top of that, a staggering 4,500 accounts are currently on a watchlist for suspicious behaviour, with another 700 under investigation for touting.

As the Magpies gear up for their titanic clash on 18 September, the spotlight is not only on the pitch but also on how the club handles its ticketing policies moving forward. The Barcelona game is the jewel in their European crown this season, and ensuring the stadium is packed with black-and-white supporters rather than travelling schoolkids from Scotland might be viewed as a win by many.