Newcastle Fans Outraged by Yoane Wissa’s Post-Match Actions
Newcastle United’s recent 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace has left supporters frustrated, not just with the result, but with the behavior of summer signing Yoane Wissa.
The Shirt-Swap Controversy
Following a late collapse at Selhurst Park—sealed by two goals from Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta—Wissa was spotted swapping jerseys with the match-winner immediately after the whistle. Adding insult to injury for the traveling fans, Mateta was seen celebrating the victory on camera while wearing Wissa’s Newcastle No. 9 shirt.
While the two were teammates earlier in their careers at Châteauroux, the timing of the gesture sat poorly with a fanbase already reeling from a string of poor results.
Wissa’s Struggles on Tyneside
The backlash highlights a growing rift between the supporters and the DR Congo international. Since his £55 million move from Brentford, Wissa’s tenure has been underwhelming:
- Injury Woes: He missed three months shortly after arriving due to a knee injury.
- Goal Drought: Despite an early spark, he has struggled to find the net consistently.
- Pecking Order: Wissa has fallen to fourth-choice striker, behind Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade, and William Osula. He has played only 17 minutes of league football in the last two months.
Eddie Howe Defends Selection
Head coach Eddie Howe faced questions regarding his decision to start young William Osula over high-priced signings like Wissa and Woltemade. Howe remained firm, stating:
“I don’t pick the team based on transfer fees; I have to pick the team based on what I see. I thought Wil Osula was training well and deserved to start.”
While acknowledging the “anger and frustration” of the fans, Howe insisted the team’s effort is there, even if the performances are currently falling short of expectations.
Other Club Headlines
- Disciplinary Blow: An unnamed Newcastle star has been hit with a two-match ban following an incident during the Palace game.
- Contract Uncertainty: Negotiations with Tino Livramento have reportedly reached a “crunch phase” as talks over a new deal stall.
- VAR Grievances: The club has expressed formal dissatisfaction over officiating decisions during the Sunday defeat.
