Journalist makes claim on social media that it would be beneficial for Newcastle United if they were to lose in Paris tonight
Newcastle United take on Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital tonight in the final Champions League league phase games, all play out simultaneously.
A win for either side tonight guarantees them a place in the knock-out round of the competition, while the loser will have to play a two-legged play-off to book a place in the next phase.
The prestige of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League would be massive for Newcastle, especially as their coefficient meant they entered the competition as one of the lowest-ranked sides.
More importantly than that for Newcastle, as things stand, though, is that progression as a top-eight side avoids adding two extra games to their already overloaded schedule.
Barney Roney says Newcastle are better off getting beat in Paris tonight
However, Guardian journalist Barney Ronay, who is clearly not a fan of the new Champions League format, has suggested on X that Newcastle would be better off getting beat tonight and going into the play-off for financial reasons.
"How to ruin a format. Would prob be best for Newcastle to lose to PSG tonight and enter the CL playoffs. Two more high revenue games in the current transfer year. Also more likely that way you’ll get 4 games and twice the cash. And in the end that’s all that’s happening here
"And of course fans won’t feel this is true. But it’s not actually for them"
We don't really agree with Mr Ronay on this one
Barney was soon called out for his take, however, with other users replying to question whether the prize money for finishing in the top eight outweighs what they'd make from playing the extra two games.
They may have a point in terms of prize money, but each club will also get gate receipts from those games, too, and that can't be underestimated.
All that being said, I'd much rather Newcastle beat PSG tonight and finish in the top eight, for the prestige and for the break!
