RIO FERDINAND was forced to leave TNT Sports’ studio during Newcastle’s Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
TNT Sports host Laura Woods revealed Ferdinand was not present due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Ferdinand had been present for the pre-game show and half-time coverage of PSG vs Newcastle.
However, with the Manchester United icon missing from the post-match lineup of pundits, Laura issued a statement on his whereabouts.
After speaking about TNT’s coverage of United vs Galatasaray on Wednesday, she said: “Rio would be here to chat about Manchester United now but we had to let him go [due to] unforeseen circumstances.
“He is OK, don’t worry.”
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Ally McCoist and Jermaine Jenas were on hand to provide game analysis alongside Woods.
Both were left in disbelief at a late penalty decision which was awarded to the Ligue 1 side against Tino Livramento for handball.
McCoist told Newcastle boss Eddie Howe that he felt his team was “robbed” of a win.
Alexander Isak had put the Magpies ahead in the opening stages by taking advantage of a poor save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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However, Newcastle were soon penned back into their own half and defended resolutely before seeing their hard work undone by Kylian Mbappe’s 98th-minute spot kick.
A 3-1 win for Borussia Dortmund at AC Milan means it is a one-game shootout for one of three teams to progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
PSG sit on seven points, while Newcastle and Milan both sit on five.
The Toon host Milan in their final group stage game, knowing they must win to stand a chance of progressing to the last 16.
A defeat will see them knocked out of European football entirely.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
