Newcastle Reject Viana Plea

By Nick Raynor
December 1 2004

Newcastle United have rejected on-loan Hugo Viana’s plea to let him play against his employers in their UEFA Cup match later this month.

Viana is on loan at Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season and the Portuguese midfielder is desperate to play against his employers when the two clubs meet in a UEFA Cup group decider later this month. 

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepard is having none of it and has good reason as when former striker Lua-Lua went out on loan to Portsmouth, he scored the equalising goal for Pompey against Newcastle. 

Shepard said:

“That was part of the agreement. I have told them that we have stuck to our part of it and suggested that they did the same.”

"We paid them £8.5m for Hugo and lent him back to them for a year. Haven't we done enough for them? Hugo will not be playing at St James' Park next month but he is most welcome to come with the team.”

"If he does he will get a great welcome from everyone here and I am sure our supporters will give him a good reception."