Valerenga want to face Magpies in Norway

Newcastle could have to play their UEFA Cup tie against Valerenga on an indoor pitch because the Norwegians believe they would be “digging their own grave” if they moved the game out of Oslo.

Valerenga have confirmed they want to play the home leg of the third-round tie on home turf in the Norwegian capital, but are expecting protests from their opponents over their choice of reserve ground.

Concerns about the possibility of heavy snow and freezing temperatures in February led the club to consider a change of venue and country for the home leg of their encounter.

Newcastle are hopeful the game will be switched to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, a short hop from St James’ Park, or to a venue in Denmark at worst.

However, in a move which recalls Newcastle’s FA Cup tie at Stevenage Borough in 1998, the Norwegians have now informed UEFA they wish to play at their Ullevaal stadium and, in accordance with UEFA‘s wishes, have also nominated a reserve arena, the 5,000 capacity Vallhall, which is indoors and has an artificial pitch.

A UEFA spokeswoman confirmed they had received the club‘s proposals.

“Valerenga had until midday today (Tuesday) to confirm their choice of venue,” UEFA said.

“We have received a proposal from the club which includes the plan to play indoors on an artificial pitch and the proposal is now being dealt with by our stadium department.”

Valerenga director Kjetil Siem believes the club are doing the best thing by staying in Oslo.

“We‘ve talked it through with all the management, and the supporters club, and decided that it‘s almost like digging our own grave if we move the game away from our home town,” Siem told www.vif.no.

“Quite simply we had to play such a big match at home.”

Siem added that fears over the possible adverse weather conditions had also been calmed by the country’s leading experts.

“We‘ve spoken with the Institute for Meteorology and on that same date (February 26) in the last 10 years, the temperatures would not have stopped the match,” he continued.

However, Siem admitted he is expecting protests over the choice of Vallhall as their reserve venue, which was required by UEFA in case the match had to be moved at short notice due to the weather.

“Newcastle maintain they can refuse Vallhall as an alternative venue for both the main and the reserve arena,” Siem said.

“But we think that Vallhall is allowed for this purpose, and therefore propose it as our reserve stadium.

“Newcastle have never stepped on an artificial surface, but in all honesty that’s not our problem.”

The Magpies became embroiled in a similar situation four years ago when they wanted to move their fourth round FA Cup game away from Stevenage because of safety fears before the game went ahead at Broadhall Way following the erection of a temporary stand.