According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United players did not speak to the media after the game last night because the club are yet to agree a bonus package ahead of the new Premier League season.
We saw that Rafa Benitez did not hold back in his post-match comments last night, but are the Newcastle United squad now taking a stand against Mike Ashley?
Agreeing to an incentive scheme should be standard procedure yet has been a problem in previous years, highlighting the total incompetence at board level once again – and proving just why Rafa Benitez alluded to the club’s problems both ‘on and off the pitch’ after the game.
This now clears up the following tweet from Lee Ryder after last night’s game, who revealed that players agreed that they would not and could not speak after the 4-0 hammering to Braga.
Even the players who normally speak after every game win, lose or draw said they couldn't tonight. They stated it was agreed in the dressing room after the game. #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) August 1, 2018
Here’s what The Chronicle have had to say about the situation since it was confirmed just why the players refused to speak to the press after the game:
‘Newcastle United players left SC Braga’s Estádio Municipal without saying anything on the record to the travelling media in Portugal.
‘The players held a meeting to decide not to talk after the 4-0 hammering against the Portuguese side but it wasn’t understood to be because of the result or anything to do with the lack of recruitment.
‘It is believed that United players are yet to agree an incentive package for the new season and don’t feel the time is right to talk about the season’s objectives at the moment.
‘Players were still affable towards the media on their way to the team bus ahead of their red-eye flight home from Portugal but nobody stopped to speak in the mixed zone, which is used to conduct player interviews.
‘And even the club’s official TV channel and website weren’t permitted any post-game content from Toon players after their penultimate friendly.
‘The message from the dressing room after the defeat in Braga was that there would be no interviews and it was “nothing personal” towards the press pack.’
The Chronicle claim that this problem should only be ‘temporary’ and should be ‘resolved soon’, but this should the total unrest within the Newcastle United camp at the moment.
For the sake of our performances on the pitch, let’s hope this gets sorted out as soon as possible.
It’s one things after the other at the minute. What a complete and utter mess.
We are back to this AGAIN!?!? AGAIN!?!! Really?? Are you taking the **** @nufc? How moronic and completely incompetent can someone be?! https://t.co/UGaSnwvCxH
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) August 2, 2018
oh well… relegation candidates again
Is ashley doing this just out of spite? Disrespecting Rafa and the fans
Beef(Quote)
Can the players go on strike? 😯
Toontaff(Quote)
You’re starting to get very click-baity Olly.
2 articles today where you make a statement in the headline then change it to a question in the article.
Naughty naughty!
Nobody likes to be conned!
Briaaaaan(Quote)
I’d swap our current position in the premiership to that of division one if it meant getting rid of Ashley.
3 years to get back or another decade of betrayal and lies with Ashley.
Ed(Quote)
Why did Ashley offer Rafa to the Spanish FA duering the world cup.he was trying to get rid by the back door and put the blame on Rafa as if he asked to be allowed leave and deflecting any blame for himself he is running the club like a private money selling player’s on monthly installments so Rafa never gets money to invest in quality player’s. I am sorry but it’s another heart break season for us unless Rafa can pull a rabbit out of the bag.good Rafa and away the lads Bagzee
Bagzee(Quote)
tonight , There has been a significant betting move for Rafa to be the first manager to leave. Who can blame the guy
raffie(Quote)