NEWCASTLE United have agreed to pay a hefty compensation bill to around 800 fans forced to miss the Champions League clash with Barcelona after last night's late call-off at a sodden Nou Camp.

The rain in Spain washed out Sir Bobby Robson's sentimental return to his old stamping ground and, after much deliberation amid scenes of utter chaos, the Group A encounter was rearranged for 8.45 tonight (7.45 GMT).

That was no consolation to supporters among a following of 4,200 who had forked out an average of £500 to journey to the Catalan capital and were booked to fly home last night or today.

But Newcastle last night acted quickly to assure fans who travelled on the official club tour that they will be reimbursed.

United manager Robson spoke of his "dreadful disappointment'' for the fans and chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Because of the situation, fans who have shown their loyalty to the club by travelling to the game on the club's organised travel will be recompensed in due course.''

Some Geordie fans had already been admitted to the stadium by the time Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere gave the game the thumbs-down after carrying out a third pitch inspection at around 7.30 local time last night.

Torrential thunderstorms had reduced the playing surface to a paddyfield. Amazingly, it was over an hour before UEFA officially confirmed that the match had been postponed. And UEFA spokesman Mike Lee added to the confusion by insisting the game would be rearranged for next week.

But after heated behind-the-scenes talks involving both clubs and UEFA officials, it was agreed the game would be played tonight.

Barca were opposed to UEFA's suggestion that the game should kick off at 6pm tonight, because of the potentially devastating effect on the attendance.

UEFA had wanted the early start to avoid the game clashing with televised Champions League games this evening, when Real Madrid host Lokomotiv Moscow and Manchester United entertain Deportivo La Coruna.

But the wishes of Barca and Newcastle eventually prevailed and a smiling former Barca boss Robson said: "You should ask the UEFA delegate why it took so long to reach a decision.

"My opposite number Louis van Gaal and I made a decision, but it had to go through the proper protocol and we had to just wait for UEFA.

"The problem was that tomorrow night is another European evening with other clubs and television involved.

"Barcelona were rightly a little worried that UEFA might make them play at six-o'clock, because many of their fans wouldn't have been able to get to the stadium in time. We're just dreadfully disappointed for the supporters, but it wasn't a decision we took lightly.

"We tried to strike a happy balance for the club and the fans. We know we've disappointed a lot of fans some may be able to stay, but I think, if the game had been played next week, a lot wouldn't have been able to come anyway.

"It's expensive, Christmas is coming, and it's a lot of money for the fans.

"We waited as long as we could - I even said we would wait until ten o'clock if needs be. That's how keen I was to get the game played.

"But there was surface water on the pitch and it was still raining quite dramatically.''

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