Barcelona fan ‘gutted’ at missing Newcastle game after going to wrong St James’ Park

It was only when he presented his ticket to staff that the mix-up became apparent but rather than turn him away, Exeter provided him with a ticket for their League One match against Lincoln.

ONE MISSING: Barcelona fans in the away stand ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen, first leg match at St James' Park, Newcastle. Pic: Steve Welsh/PA Wire.

A Barcelona fan’s navigation mishap turned into an unexpected adventure when he arrived at the wrong St James’ Park on Tuesday for a Champions League clash, ending up 366 miles from where his team were playing.

The Spanish fan, who had travelled from London expecting to watch Barcelona take on Newcastle in the first leg of the last-16 tie, instead found himself at the turnstiles of third-tier Exeter’s St James Park.

It was only when he presented his ticket to staff that the mix-up became apparent but rather than turn him away, Exeter staff took pity on his plight and provided him with a ticket for their League One match against Lincoln.

“One of our volunteers came to the office to let us know that this guy had turned up expecting to see FC Barcelona,” said Adam Spencer, Exeter’s supporter experience officer. “His English wasn’t great, but from what we could gather, he’d come from London.

“My guess is he’d put St James Park in his phone and then just followed the directions from there. He was pretty gutted and a bit embarrassed. So we sorted him out a ticket and he got to watch a game at the real St James Park. He’d be welcome back any time.”

While the Barça fan watched Exeter lose 1-0 to the league leaders, Barcelona salvaged a 1-1 draw in Newcastle after Lamine Yamal netted a penalty with the final kick.