Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet the FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterNewcastle welcome Barcelona to St. James' Park for the second time this season, with the club's fans hoping the team fare better than Los Cules' last visit to the north east.Anthony Gordon's late consolation gave Newcastle fans hope of salvaging a point during the league phase earlier in the campaign, but Marcus Rashford's brace was enough to hand the LaLiga side the spoils back in September.The Magpies have progressed through the competition with greater consistency than they've managed in the Premier League, most recently seeing off Azerbaijan-based club Qarabag FK by a 9-3 aggregate scoreline in the play-off knockout round.Article continues below You may like Newcastle United axe defender from squad ahead of Champions League game How to watch Qarabag vs Newcastle United: Free streams, TV channels as the Magpies bid for away advantage in Champions League play-off tie How to watch Newcastle United vs Qarabag: Free Streams & TV Information Newcastle vs Barcelona referee 'not guilty' of kicking out at playerBarcelona, meanwhile, finished in the top eight and advanced automatically to the Round of 16 and have the benefit of a home fixture in the second leg of this particular tie.As Tyneside gears up for Newcastle's first proper Champions League knockout fixture, match officials for the game have been announced with Italian referee Marco Guida the man in the middle for this one.Guida has officiated in Italy's top flight, Serie A, since 2010 and has been FIFA-listed since 2014, permitting him to take charge of international matches.In November 2025, the Neapolitan official was involved in a controversial altercation with AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers during a game against Roma. Having awarded a penalty to Roma, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan pulled off a save which elicited an antagonistic celebration by Saelemaekers.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The Belgian celebrated passionately in Guida's direction and the official took steps towards the Belgian, bringing the pair close together. As Saelamaekers began to walk away, Guida appeared to trip the Milan winger by extending his right leg, in what was deemed by television pundits as a deliberate kick out at the player.The Italian Referees Association (AIA) subsequently decided not to take disciplinary action against him.Guida has officiated 23 matches this season, including one in the United Arab Emirates, showing 76 yellow cards, one red and awarding nine penalties.TOPICSNewcastle UnitedChampions LeagueJoe DonnohueSocial Links NavigationSenior Digital WriterJoe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
