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Newcastle United supporters will not be able to gather in their planned takeover of Trafalgar Square on the eve of the Carabao Cup final.
Mail Sport can reveal that the landmark location in central London will be closed on Saturday March 15 to allow for set up ahead of the city’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday March 16, the same day as the final.
The closure is sure to be met with great disappointment by fans, who planned to descend on Trafalgar Square in huge number across the weekend.
For the Carabao Cup final in 2023, it was estimated that up to 50,000 Newcastle supporters visited the square at some point over the weekend, including a host of former players and the club’s owners, Jamie Reuben and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who wore a disguise to mingle with fans.
Geordie referee Michael Oliver was also spotted.
It has become a tradition to use the area as a meeting point – the Toon Army also did so around two FA Cup finals in the late 1990s – and it will mean an alternative location being sought.
Newcastle fans gather in Trafalgar Square ahead of the of the Carabao Cup final in 2023
An estimated 50,000 fans gathered over the weekend, with no issues reported by the police
Trafalgar Square will be closed for London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday March 16
Fans even cleaned up after themselves two years ago with a group taking bin-liners to collect empty beer cans.
Police reported no issues and there was a party atmosphere in the build-up to the game, in which Newcastle were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United.
Trafalgar Square will be open for six hours on the day of the final, with live music and parades from 12pm to 6pm, but the much-anticipated Saturday night festivities will not be possible.
The Mayor of London’s office has confirmed to Mail Sport the plans to close Trafalgar Square on Saturday March 15.
