NEWCASTLE fans reacted angrily last night after learning of the cancellation of the club’s pre-season friendly in Holland later this month.

The decision to call off the match in Utrecht was made by the FA amid fears of potential trouble between Newcastle fans and supporters of Sunderland.

It followed concern raised in the Dutch media yesterday by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, who feared that Tyne/Wear rivalries might lead to clashes on the city’s streets.

Utrecht is only 30 miles from Amsterdam and there was concern that Newcastle fans might stop off in the largest Dutch city on their way to or from their match, on Sunday, July 26.

Several thousand Sunderland fans are expected to be in the city for the Amsterdam Tournament, at host club Ajax’s stadium, from July 24 to 26.

The Black Cats accepted an invitation to take part in the tournament several months ago. Newcastle’s planned match at FC Utrecht’s Stadion Galgenwaard was arranged more recently.

Initially, the Amsterdam mayor’s office suggested the invitation to Sunderland to take part in the tournament might be withdrawn, but last night the FA refused to sanction Newcastle’s one-off match in Utrecht.

The FA said: “The FA has reluctantly withdrawn permission for Newcastle United to play a friendly with Utrecht on Sunday, July 26.

“Following concerns raised by the Mayor of Amsterdam, it became clear that only one of the two teams would be able to travel to Holland and the FA actively sought to resolve the situation.”

Long-time Newcastle fan Graham Helling, now living in Merseyside, had already booked his flight to Amsterdam for the Utrecht game.

“Fortunately, I haven’t booked any accommodation,”

he said. “But, I’ll lose the £70 or £80 cost of the flight.”

Martyn McFadden, of award-winning Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme, said: “It’s a shame for the Newcastle fans who planned to go out, but we had arranged our trip to Holland a lot earlier.

“It wouldn’t have necessarily meant there would be trouble, but if there had been, we would have seen all the old headlines about English fans abroad.”