Barca blunder: Fan ends up at wrong St James Park / Photo: Paul ELLIS - AFP
Barca blunder: Fan ends up at wrong St James Park
A red-faced Barcelona fan was treated to a surprise evening of third-tier English football after mixing up Exeter's St James Park with the famous home of Newcastle.
Lamine Yamal snatched a late 1-1 draw for the Spanish champions at Newcastle's St James' Park in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the second leg of their last-16 tie to come next week.
But the unnamed Barcelona supporter was not there to witness the drama as he was nearly 600 kilometres away -- in the southwestern English city of Exeter.
Instead of watching the five-time European champions he witnessed League One Exeter City host leaders Lincoln, a match that ended 1-0 to the visitors.
Exeter said they had done their best to accommodate the wayward fan.
"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, supporter experience officer at Exeter.
"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."
O.Somerville--NG
