OPINION
The farcical nature of Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United ownership took another ugly turn this week with the news that the club’s players are refusing to perform media duties.
United players are reportedly angry because no bonus structure has yet been agreed for them for the 2018/19 season, and on Monday they refused to partake in TV broadcasters’ ‘walk-up shots’, shown when line-ups are announced before televised matches.
Newcastle United’s players have withdrawn cooperation with the media as part of a dispute with the club over bonuses for the upcoming season. The players refused to give their time for “walk up” shots for TV companies at the training ground today.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 6, 2018
The Magpies squad have opted against partaking in media duties throughout the summer, including interviews with the club’s in house channel nufcTV. It is understood that the players will continue to ignore media responsibilities in the lead-up to Saturday’s Premier League opener against Tottenham, and will not be speaking to the media until an agreement with the club is finalised.
This isn’t an issue with the media itself, of course, but an objection against the club. Owner Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley are the ones responsible for this dispute, and the whole situation smacks of ineptitude from the club.
These are disconcerting times, even for Newcastle. At no other top flight outfit would you see the club fail to agree a bonus structure with the players. This is a level of unprofessionalism unique to Ashley’s Magpies.
The players are perfectly justified in what they are doing. The club haven’t done their bit for the players so why should they undertake media duties that benefit the team’s hierarchy? Awarding bonuses for finishing in certain positions in the league, avoiding relegation, winning the FA Cup, is an industry-wide practice in football. It’s only Ashley who cannot grasp the concept.
At a time when manager Rafael Benitez is forced to scrape the transfer barrel, this ludicrous situation further highlights Ashley’s commitment to penny pinching. However, if he’s not going to back his players and finance the club that he owns correctly, then he should do everyone a favour and sell the club.
Whether this dispute with the owner will have an adverse effect on the players performances on the pitch remains to be seen, but it certainly won’t enhance their commitment to the black and white cause, will it? The squad are simply seeking the same financial reward that every other Premier League footballer receives, no more than that.
This media hold-out is merely the latest entrant in a catalogue of farcical mistakes made by Ashley throughout his Newcastle reign, and should surprise no one. But while he remains in charge, the club will continue to move one step closer to laughing stock status.
