Newcastle facing furious backlash over League Cup final tickets amid fan concern over feeling 'robbed and conned' with boycott planned, why stadium decision could be days away and scouts set sights on £20m winger: NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL

Newcastle are dealing with a furious backlash from lucrative corporate supporters who are planning to boycott home cup matches after their allocation for the Carabao Cup final was slashed, Confidential can exclusively reveal. One box holder says he feels 'robbed and conned' after the 10 seats for which he pays more than £50,000 per season were rewarded with only four tickets for the Wembley final on March 16.

Two years ago, for the Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United, corporate clients were given 10 tickets each and had expected the same this time around. They were not told in advance by the club that it could be different. They were shocked, then, when an email landed communicating that they were eligible for just four tickets for the final versus Liverpool. Angry phone calls to account managers followed and one of the reasons given for the cut was that the club has ‘more partners’ to satisfy compared to two years ago. We are aware of several heated exchanges in recent days.

Their fury intensified this week when an email then invited them to pay upwards of £3,000 to use their box for the forthcoming FA Cup fifth round tie versus Brighton in early March. High-spending corporate box holders have seen their Wembley allocation cut by 60 per cent compared to two years ago. The furious fans were not told in advance that the allocations had been cut. We understand a group of box holders plan to boycott the Brighton FA Cup game next month.

We understand a group of box holders are now planning to boycott this fixture and, during the next home Premier League game on February 23, they will lobby others to join their cup protest. Confidential has spoken to several of those involved, and one supporter said: ‘I feel like I’ve been robbed and conned. If the club had been transparent at the start of the season then you can manage expectations or make alternative plans.

'As it is, I have taken up my box for every cup game and been to the away games in the belief that I would get the full allocation of 10 tickets if we made a final. They set a precedent for the 2023 final and the assumption was they would do the same. ‘People see the word “corporate” and think it’s all business and clients. I used to sit in the stands as a season-ticket holder and I’m lucky enough now to be able to afford a box. It’s not “corporate”, I see it as 10 season tickets for my friends and family.

'I’d told them we’d be getting our seats for the final. I’ve now got to choose between grandchildren as to who goes to Wembley. I feel let down by the club.’. Another box holder told us: ‘I understand it’s not easy allocating tickets for a game where everyone wants to go. The club were up front about the Cup Scheme for season-ticket holders at the start of the season and, because of that, they knew what was needed to guarantee their ticket for a final.

'So why, when myself and other supporters have paid thousands to be at every cup game, do we not qualify for all the seats we’ve bought?. ‘I want to support the club. I want to invest and help them with PSR. It feels like money going towards a good cause and something I feel passionately about. And this is how the club reward us? I was horrified when the email arrived. Supporters have told of having to choose between grandchildren for their Wembley tickets.

Alexander Isak's goal set Newcastle on their way to Wembley as they beat Arsenal in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final. ‘Now, staff at the club have gone to ground and aren’t returning calls. It feels like they are isolating us. Given the importance of corporate supporters if we move to a new stadium, this feels like a very short-sighted decision. ‘The club say all box holders - and supporters who pay for tables in the suites - will get four tickets each, no matter how many cup games they attend. So why should we bother paying thousands more for cup games this season when this is how we are treated?.

‘The club staff are reading from a script when they say, “we’ve got more partners now”. But I’m a partner! Every supporter is. 'It has left myself and others wondering whether to renew for next season, this is how strongly we feel. It hardly bodes well for the future.’. The potential move to a new stadium is a pertinent point, given the club wants to maximise matchday revenue through corporate sales.

Confidential has spoken to Newcastle and they are aware of the situation and are sympathetic to any supporter who will miss out on a Wembley ticket. The club say they are trying to maximise ticket allocation across the fanbase, but are working with around 800 fewer tickets compared to 2023. STADIUM DECISION LOOMS. A decision on whether Newcastle intend to build a new stadium or expand St James’ Park could be made as soon as this month with a senior PIF delegation planning to visit Tyneside.