Christmas shoppers and market stall holders have been warned to expect heavy crowds as AC Milan fans march through the centre of Newcastle on Wednesday.
Supporters of the Italian giants are due to parade up to St James’ Park ahead of the crunch Champions League clash with Newcastle United, as thousands of Borussia Dortmund and PSG fans have done for their European fixtures in the city this year.
But, with Tyneside’s festive celebrations in full swing, the Milan march will bring the swathes of away fans into close contact with the Christmas markets around Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square.
Newcastle City Council has confirmed that the Milan supporters have agreed to start their march closer to the stadium than was the case for the PSG or Dortmund matches.
Rather than beginning at the Monument or on the Bigg Market, Wednesday’s route will instead start at the tunnel on Blackett Street.
However, the number of fans gathering means they will likely stretch back to Grey’s Monument.
Flares and bottles were thrown as PSG fans clashed with Magpies fans before that fixture in October.
A council spokesperson said: “Champions League football has brought a welcome boost to the city in terms of enjoyment and economic activity. Like all fans, the Milan fans will get a warm Geordie welcome.
“The city has a lot to offer at this time of the year and whether people are coming in for the football, Christmas shopping or Christmas markets everyone will be made to feel safe and welcome. We have worked with the police and transport operators to minimise the disruption that the match may cause but inevitably there will be some short-term inconvenience due to temporary road closures and some re-routing of bus services which we have advertised on social media.
“We expect slightly higher visitor numbers than normal in the city centre, so the Milan fans have agreed to begin their parade further up Blackett Street than in previous games, just before the Eldon Square bridge. Fans however may still stretch as far back as the Monument for a short period.
“We will be communicating with licensees ahead of the game to ensure they are aware of the parade which will be closely monitored. Policing will be proportionate, monitoring will be in place, and officers will be on hand to keep any disruption to a minimum. Anyone who sees anything suspicious should speak to an officer on duty.”
A number of roads in the city centre will be closed between around 5pm and 6.15pm before the match, which kicks off at 8pm. These include parts of Blackett Street, Percy Street, Leazes Park Road, Terrace Place and Leazes Terrace.
Chief Supt Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, added: “Football fans here in the North East are among the most passionate in the country and I know there’ll be a lot of excitement among some groups of supporters about Newcastle’s final home fixture in this group against AC Milan on Wednesday, 13 December.
“This region is renowned for being a friendly and welcoming place and these matches are an opportunity for everyone to showcase that on a European scale. As ever, we will be working with our partners and there will be a proportionate policing operation in place. Our overriding priority is the safety of those attending, as well as everyone in the wider city centre.
“Our officers will be on hand to help keep any disruption to a minimum. Anyone with any concerns, or who sees anything suspicious, is encouraged to speak to an officer on duty.”
