A PAIR of streakers who invaded the pitch during two of Newcastle United's European games could be sued by the club.

Steven Arkle, 21, and John Parkinson, 35, ran onto the field mid-way through two of the Magpies' Europa League home games at St James' Park, leaving the club facing huge fines.

Arkle's stunt happened during Newcastle's tie with Greek side Atromitos on Thursday August 30, when he ran naked onto the pitch, stopping to have a brief chat with defender Danny Simpson.

Parkinson disrupted the 3-0 victory over French side Bordeaux earlier this month, wearing nothing except an England shirt.

Both appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court yesterday (Wednesday, October 24) charged with going onto a playing area at a football match contrary to Sections 4 and 5 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991.

Arkle, of Kenton Road, Newcastle, and Parkinson, of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to the charge during the two brief separate hearings.

Both will appear back before Newcastle Magistrates' Court in December for sentencing where it is believed that a representative of the club may be present.

A team from the Northumbria Police Football Unit made an application for the pair to be banned from St James’ Park for their actions, but a legal team representing each of the defendants said they would be opposing the application.

Steve Storey, the Magpies’ head of security, said they were taking legal advice in a bid to recoup some of the 7,000 euro UEFA fine incurred by the club for the match-day infringement for the Atromitos game on August 30.

Newcastle United are still waiting to hear how much the Bordeaux infringement will cost and is believed the fine could top 10,000 euros.

Mr Storey said: “First of all I’m pleased they pleaded guilty and we at the club hope that they receive strong sentences. It is not just to punish them but also to act as a deterrent to others.

“These people who think selfishly running on the pitch is fun or funny should realise it is not. It’s a criminal offence which disrupts the game.

“It offends thousands of people inside the stadium, particularly when they run on naked. It’s beamed live throughout Europe and it has brought embarrassment to the club given it’s the first time we’ve been in Europe for many years.

“We will be actively seeking compensation through the court for the financial penalty imposed by UEFA and we are taking legal advice to consider taking civil action against both men.”

"We are really disappointed that these two, who are not season ticket-holders or members of the club, decided to carry out these acts.

"We hope that these two cases and the strong action the court and the club are taking against both men, acts as a warning to anyone else who might consider doing similar in the future.”

Justin Gibson, who prosecuted in both cases, said in relation to Arkle's incident: "Mr Arkle has entered the football pitch during the game.

"The game itself had to be stopped, causing quite a disruption and quite a hefty fine for the club, I think it is fair to say."

Each defendant was released on conditional bail.

Arkle is due for sentencing on December 20, with Parkinson being sentenced the next day.