Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United drawing 1-1 against PSG in the Champions League.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, no PSG fans but an RC Lens fan, some Aston Villa fans, one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing (as well as the odd Sunderland supporter pretending to be a Newcastle fan…):
‘Villa fan.
That was never a penalty. Great save. Amazing how Newcastle didn’t get one at the other end in similar circs, wasn’t it?
I thought Newcastle played really well tonight.
Happy to see Ramsey get minutes and make a real difference.
Shame Barnes couldn’t net that shot at the end.
Best of luck in the playoffs. ‘
‘I know we all hate the “corrupt” conspiracy shouts against referees, but the decisions in that game were probably the worst, most one-sided, bafflingly bad I have ever seen. Newcastle could have won that if the table had not been tilted against them.’
‘I’m certain that var gives home teams an advantage
I’m certain of this its as if they move the bar
What’d the difference between that and marquenios
Or the blatant pen on Gordon
Shocking referring tonight
Var Is broken too time it was scrapped’
‘The ball came off the attacker’s arm first, which is why I think it’s not a penalty.
I don’t think the not given one was, either.
Miley flapped at the ball, but if it didn’t come off the attacker’s arm, it wouldn’t have been where his arm was. If that makes sense.
Reminds me of the pinball pen claim for Arsenal v Villa which was not given because it hit the attacker’s arm first.’
‘Absolute drivel, just accept Newcastle aren’t good enough for the top 8 and stop blaming referees and var it’s becoming a boring trait of with Newcastle this season. ‘
‘SMB’
‘The most diabolical penalty decision I’ve seen… since the last time we played PSG. What chance have we got when match officials are coming up with decisions like that?
Well done Nick Pope for the save.’
‘There were at least THREE pen calls for NUFC that were more real than that PSG one. PSG handball, Burn pushed over, Gordon fouled in the box.
And I have never seen a player be booked for being fouled like Elanga was, while still getting the free kick.’
‘RC Lens fan here.
Typical PSG, always have the referee in their pockets, nasty club with nasty fans.
Well done Newcastle and good luck in the next round.’
‘Anyone would think the PSG chairman is on the UEFA board…..
Oh, hang on.’
‘Villa fan in peace.. Unlucky guys… Yr still in there good luck in play offs’
‘Newcastle United had three penalty shouts turned away for far more of a penalty than the one PSG received.’
‘Ref was a disgrace. Well played Newcastle.’
‘Great shift, great point and could have been a win for toon. Very questionable refereeing which I’ll try not to read too much into especially after our last visit to Paris. Congrats to Willock as well, you deserved that goal. More of this please’
‘Tough when you’re playing the European champions and the referee’
‘My advice to whichever of Monaco and Qarabag gets PSG in the play-offs would be to have your goalkeeper practising penalties all week in the build up to your match against PSG. We all know why.’
‘Monaco or Qarabag in the play-offs. And whoever we get, we’re at home in the 2nd leg, so reasons to be positive.’
‘These two now cannot meet until the final and both Monaco and Qarabag are winnable play off ties. Good luck to Newcastle in this and the Carabao cup semi final second leg.’
‘Proud of our so called no hopers who didn’t stand a chance, we were unlucky not to beat one of the best teams in Europe so will take a lot away from the game and shows again the strength in depth we have and fancy us against anyone over 2 legs so proud of players and backroom staff but biggest shout out goes to our amazing travelling support proud to be a Geordie.’
‘Out of all the English teams I will stick my neck out and say that. despite a draw, that was the best English performance tonight.’
‘Ramsey looked very much more like himself tonight. He played and scored in the CL for us last season, he’s got pace and is capable of breaking through like he did with that shot tonight. I think he can do well for Newcastle in the long run if given opportunities like tonight.
But I have my villa-tinted specs on.
I thought a lot of Newcastle players were excellent tonight.’
‘UEFA must be disappointed after that result.
Can’t believe the penalty decisions; give the PSG penalty but not the Newcastle one.
Elanga booked for being fouled.
Some very strange decisions in that game.’
PSG 1 Newcastle 1 – Wednesday 28 January 2026 8pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Willock 45+2
PSG:
Vitinha 8
Possession was Newcastle 33% PSG 67%
Total shots were Newcastle 10 PSG 25
Shots on target were Newcastle 4 PSG 7
Corners were Newcastle 1 PSG 5
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 25 PSG 48
Newcastle team v PSG:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Barnes 68), Elanga (Gordon 67), Woltemade (Wissa 79)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Harris, Trippier, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Bruno, Shahar
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