‘Newcastle United face legal challenges amid new stadium update’
Newcastle United are facing fresh issues as they look to move away from St James’ Park and into a new stadium.
It is an exciting time for the club on the pitch, having ended their long wait for a trophy with victory in the League Cup final, while also challenging for a place in the Champions League.
The club are looking to progress off the field as well, with Newcastle making plans for a new 65,000 capacity stadium.
However, that looks be a tough process for the club, as finance expert Stefan Borson has told Football Insider that the move would present financial challenges for Newcastle.
Indeed, fellow football finance figure Kieran Maguire recently suggested Newcastle would have to make £100million per season from their new ground for it to be a worthwhile investment.
Now, a new update has hinted at further issues the club may have if they are pursue a move away from St James’ Park.
Newcastle United unveil video proposal of new stadium
According to a report from The Guardian, the Magpies have now presented a promotional video for the new ground to chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
It is stated that the video shows the stadium would be built on Leazes Park, and will not overlap with footprint of St James’.
That does ensure that Eddie Howe‘s side could continue to play at their current ground while the new stadium is built, which would apparently help Newcastle from a financial perspective.
| Newcastle last five games | Result |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | Won 4-3 |
| Liverpool (A) | Lost 2-0 |
| Brighton (H) | Lost 2-1 |
| West Ham (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Liverpool (N) | Won 2-1 |
However, it also means the stadium would be being built on green belt land which is protected by a conservation order.
As a result, it is stated that any planning application submitted by Newcastle to build on Leazes Park would likely be met with legal challenges to protect that land.
Consequently, a new green space would apparently have to be introduced on the current site of St James’ Park as a replacement, in order for the plans for a new stadium to be approved.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan has big call to make over new stadium
Football Insider Verdict
It still remains to be seen if the Magpies will indeed make moves to build a new ground, although a promotional video suggests that is their intention.
If that is the case, then Al-Rumayyan will have to ensure Newcastle are well funded both on and off the pitch in the years to come.
That will not be easy, with questions already asked about how Man United will invest in their squad as well as their planned new stadium.
Now, with other issues such as this legal question emerging, Al-Rumayyan and co. will have to weigh up if this move is worth it.
As this risk of problems emerges, it leaves Newcastle vulnerable to distractions and hurdles as they look to build on their recent success on the pitch.
With that in mind, the club’s owners may find themselves with a difficult decision to make over whether the move is worth it when also considering the benefits a new stadium could deliver in the long-term.